Food Allergens & Management
Food allergies are a growing concern in today's society. An allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to a particular substance, called an allergen, which is typically harmless to most people. Food allergies are caused by allergens found in certain foods and can cause a range of symptoms from mild to severe, including itching, hives, swelling, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. The most common food allergens are known as the "Big Eight." These allergens are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts), fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. These eight foods account for about 90% of all food allergies. However, people can also be allergic to other foods, such as sesame, mustard, and celery. Food allergens are usually proteins, and even trace amounts of an allergen can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. This means that people with food allergies need to be careful about the foods they eat and the products they use. Food labels are ...