Food Allergy

  • A magnifying glass focuses on the nutrition facts label over slices of bread, highlighting information such as calories, fat, and cholesterol content. A sprig of parsley rests on top of the bread.

    How to Report Food Label Issues for Food Allergies

    If you or a loved one live with a food allergy, then you know the importance of reading food labels. Food labels identify the…

  • A woman is feeding a baby with a pink spoon at a table. The baby is wearing a bib and is focused on the spoon, while the woman looks at the baby with a gentle expression. A pink bowl is placed in front of them.

    USDA Updates Dietary Guidelines to Include Introduction of Food Allergens

    Updated USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend introduction of potential food allergens to children in the first year of life.

  • A doctor wearing a white coat and mask prepares to give a vaccine to an elderly woman with short white hair. The woman wears a pink shirt and gray cardigan, looking forward. The background is plain white.

    Why Getting the Flu Shot Is Critical for People with Asthma

    If you have moderate to severe asthma, learn why getting your flu shot is especially important due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

  • A diverse family of six enjoys a festive meal at a dining table decorated with autumn leaves and small pumpkins. Everyone is smiling and talking, contributing to a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

    Navigating the Holidays with Asthma and Allergies

    What you need to know the risk of asthma and allergies during the winter holidays. Learn tips, tricks, and strategies to keep everyone healthy.

  • A baby sits in a high chair, being fed by an adult. The baby looks curiously at the spoon approaching its mouth. The adult holds a white bowl while gently feeding the baby in a bright, softly lit room.

    Early Introduction of Allergens Linked to Drop in Food Allergies

    Discover how introducing allergens early can help prevent allergies in children. Learn about the latest findings in how early allergens are approached.

  • A smiling couple sits at a rustic wooden table in a cafe, holding coffee cups. Pastries on plates are in front of them, specially chosen for their food allergies. A smartphone lies on the table. Sunlight streams through large windows, creating a warm atmosphere perfect for dating with asthma concerns.

    Dating With Food Allergies: What You Need to Know

    People with food allergies, asthma or environmental allergies face similar challenges in dating and relationships. Read stories of how some have coped.

  • A child wearing a witch hat leans over a glowing jack-o'-lantern with a carved smile. They hold a wand and are dressed in a blue sweater and pink pants. Colorful lights hang in the blurred background, creating a festive Halloween atmosphere.

    How to Stay Safe on Halloween with Asthma and Allergies

    Learn how you can minimize risk and maximize safety at Halloween when you have a child with a food allergy, asthma or latex allergy.

  • A boy wearing glasses and a striped shirt is holding a bowl of mixed nuts. He is scratching his neck, which appears red and irritated. The background is a solid orange color.

    FDA Approves Xolair as First Treatment to Reduce Risk of Food Allergy Reactions

    Learn about a research study looking into the use of a biologic to determine if it can aid food allergy oral immunotherapy.

  • A couple is grocery shopping in a supermarket. They smile and look at a jar while standing between shelves filled with various products. The man pushes a green shopping cart with groceries, including a baguette and vegetables.

    Power of Deduction: Food Allergy Tax Breaks

    People with food allergies may be qualified for a reduction in taxes based on special foods they need to buy.

  • sesame seeds and sesame oil

    Allergy & Asthma Network Disappointed in FDA Decision on Sesame Allergy

    Allergy & Asthma Network issued a statement on FDA’s decision to not ban food companies from adding sesame to food products to get around…

  • Various foods that are considered high allergic foods on a wooden table. For example: nuts, fish, dairy, eggs.

    6 Food Allergy Myths

    Learn about common food allergy myths and what the facts are to help you manage food allergies and other adverse reactions to foods.

  • A glass bowl filled with yellow lupini beans placed on a napkin, accompanied by slices of bread and a small dish of olives. Two forks are visible nearby on a blue surface.

    Why Is Lupin Allergy Becoming More Common?

    Have you heard of lupin? Most Americans don’t know a lot about it. That’s likely to change. This little legume is increasingly available to…

All About

Food Allergy

Food allergies affect 32 million people in the United States, including 13% of children. They occur when the body’s immune system perceives a threat from proteins in food and overreacts to neutralize it. If you have a family history of food allergies, asthma, eczema or pollen allergies, you may be at higher risk for developing food allergy. Food allergies should not be confused with intolerance to food; food allergies can be life-threatening. The most common food allergens are peanut, milk, egg, tree nuts, wheat, soy, sesame, fish and shellfish. Food allergies require vigilance, especially for children. Small children need careful supervision as they are likely to put any food or object into their mouth; even food left out for a pet can have allergens like dairy, wheat, soy, peanuts, egg or shellfish. Children with severe allergies need to have an emergency plan in place for daycare, school and friends’ homes. Medication and permission forms to administer it, prescriptions, and meetings to discuss accommodations and care should be in place anywhere children are out of their parents’ care. Up to 30% of eczema patients will develop reactions to certain foods, including gastrointestinal distress, respiratory symptoms like wheezing, difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis, or skin reactions like itching, swelling, and hives. Sometimes eliminating foods from a patient’s diet can improve eczema symptoms, so working with an allergist is key. Skin tests, blood tests and oral food challenges can help identify food allergens. Immunotherapy is emerging as a treatment option for certain food allergens. People with food allergies need to use caution when dining out. Even getting coffee can pose a risk of cross-contamination with milk and its alternatives. Keeping your order as simple as possible and communicating about the risks you face are all key. Personal “chef cards” that list allergens and severity of reactions, and the need for vigilance in the kitchen to avoid cross-contamination, are recommended when dining out. Chef cards provide the staff with a visual cue to remember the information and avoid potentially fatal mistakes.