Top 8 Food Allergens Revealed

A new study reveals the top 8 allergens and shows children 5 years and under have more food allergies than others. Parents must be well informed about any allergy a child in their care has. Teachers as well as others spending time with children who have allergies must also be aware of the issues.

Some who are uninformed about the 8 allergens revealed in this government study may feel allergies involve a little sneezing are runny eyes. With food and some other allergies the symptoms are more serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control deaths occur every year because of food allergies.

By law, any food that is regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration, also referred to as the FDA, must list the top 8 allergens if they are in the food. The top 8 allergens listed include:

Crustacean shellfish

Eggs

Fish

Milk

Peanuts

Tree nuts

Soybeans

Wheat

Food recalls will often be announced due to one of these allergens being accidentally included in a packaged food, but not listed on the label.

Allergens that are a derivative of one of the top 8 allergens must also be listed. An example given is soy lecithin, which will be listed as: lecithin (soy) or whey (milk).

Sometimes products are not intended to contain one of the top 8 allergens, but could possibly. This may occur when foods that are part of the top 8 allergens list are processed in the same facility as a food that should not contain the allergen. A label may include a statement that reads 'may also contain....' and the mention of the allergen.

Reactions to the top 8 allergens have been listed as follows:

Abdominal cramps

Coughing or wheezing

Difficulty breathing

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Face, tongue or lip swelling

Flushed skin or rash, hives

Loss of consciousness

Tingling or an itching sensation in the mouth,

Swelling of the throat and vocal cords

Vomiting or diarrhea

Any child claiming to have a symptom that relates to a food allergy should be given medical attention immediately. In many instances, a life can be saved if the person with the allergic reaction is taken to an emergency room, or an ambulance is called immediately. Most schools now have what is referred to as an Epi Pen in classrooms to use in case of an emergency.

In order to protect themselves, children with allergies must be taught from a young age what foods they must avoid. Those able to read, including adults, may be able to better protect themselves from consuming something they are allergic to.

The top 8 foods that were part of this study about allergens may be enjoyed by the majority of the population without any unhealthy reactions. However, for those with health concerns such as allergies to any of the top 8 foods listed in the study, reading labels remains an important part of life.

Sources:

www.nih.gov/news/health

www.cdc.gov

www.foodsafety.gov