1. FOOD ALLERGY ITALIA
In Europe, food allergy affects 4-7% of children attending Primary School. (Muraro et al., Allergy, 2010)
The life-time prevalence of allergic reactions to food in school-age children is 10.5% in Italy. (Caffarelli et al., Pediatr Int., 2011)
It is estimated that 18-24% of severe allergic reactions occur in the school environment. (Mehl et al. Allergy, 2005; Rankin & Sheikh, PLoS Med, 2006)
It is estimated that more than half of the schools are attended by at least one student at risk of a severe allergic reaction.

2. FOOD ALLERGY ITALIA PROJECT
The Veneto Region Law L.R. n. 26, 26/11/2004
recognizes a food allergy as a high social impact disease
establishes the Referral Centre for food allergy diagnosis and treatment
the Law imposes that the Veneto Region must garantee all actions necessary to allow all food allergic patients attend school safely. Therefore, the Regional Council has prepared a training plan for all school staff of schools located in the region.
The aim of the educational program is to teach school staff to handle emergencies and problems caused by food allergy from both a practical and psychological point of view (somministration of lifesaving medicine and encouraging the involvement of the child in the school community).
partnership between Food Allergy Italia and the Referral Center for Food Allergies Diagnosis and Treatment located in Padua.

3. MANAGEMENT OF FOOD ALLERGY AND ANAPHYLACTIC EMERGENCY AT SCHOOL
Pilot activity in Padua and province
Activities on Veneto school
Voluntary recruitment
8 YEARS OF TRAINING
MORE THAN 70 COURSES
NEARLY 2000 SCHOOLS
MORE THAN 5000 SCHOOL STAFF TRAINED
SIGNIFICANT EDUCATIONAL IMPACT
Polloni, Muraro, FA Veneto Referral Center

4. TRAINING COURSES
Two hours of free training for schools in the Veneto region
Multidisciplinary team (paediatric allergist, lawyer, psychologist, patient representative)
Lectures, practical exercises
Knowlidge on food allergy and anaphylaxis
How to recognize symptoms of reaction and treat an anaphylactic emergency
How to prevent reactions
Promote the full integration of the allergic student in school life
Information on medical-legal self-injectable adrenaline administration
Guidelines and protocol of emergency
Strengthening of learning through DVD
Questionnaire before and after the session to verify the training impact
Polloni, Muraro, FA Veneto Referral Center

5. FOOD ALLERGY ITALIA
The aim of Food Allergy Italia is to extend the "Veneto Model" all over the country by promoting the spread of the Educational Project and the Action Plan for Anaphylaxis Emergency in order to standardize information and intervention procedures throughout the country. This would allow teachers to deal with the problem with greater confidence and competence and at the same time, and allow the child with severe food allergies a safe entry into school life.