A food allergy is an immunologic response to a food protein. It is estimated that up to 12 million Americans have food allergies of one type or another,^[1] and the prevalence is rising.^[2] Six to eight percent of children have food allergies and two percent of adults have them.^[3] The most common food allergies in adults are shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, fish, and eggs^[3], and the most common food allergies present in children are milk, eggs, and peanuts.^[3] The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) is a coding of diseases and signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). ... // S00-T98 - Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-S09) Injuries to the head (S00) Superficial injury of head (S01) Open wound of head (S02) Fracture of skull and facial bones (S03) Dislocation, sprain and strain of joints and ligaments of head (S04) Injury of cranial nerves... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The Mendelian Inheritance in Man project is a database that catalogues all the known diseases with a genetic component, and - when possible - links them to the relevant genes in the human genome. ... MedlinePlus (medlineplus. ... eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996. ... A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil (yellow), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange). ... Cooked mussels Shellfish is a term used to describe shelled molluscs and crustaceans used as food. ... Binomial name L. This article is about the legume. ... Hazelnuts from the Common Hazel Image:Walnuts. ... Binomial name Sesamum indicum L. Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is a flowering plant in the genus Sesamum. ... Fish as a food describes the edible parts of water-dwelling, cold-blooded vertebrates with gills, as well as certain other water-dwelling animals such as mollusks, crustaceans, and shellfish. ... An egg is a body consisting of an ovum surrounded by layers of membranes and an outer casing of some type, which acts to nourish and protect a developing embryo. ... A glass of cows milk. ... An egg is a body consisting of an ovum surrounded by layers of membranes and an outer casing of some type, which acts to nourish and protect a developing embryo. ... Binomial name L. This article is about the legume. ...

At this time, there is no cure for food allergies. Treatment consists of avoidance diets, where the allergic person avoids any and all forms of the food to which they are allergic. For people who are extremely sensitive, this may involve the total avoidance of any exposure with the allergen, including touching or inhaling the problematic food as well as any surfaces that may have come into contact with it. Food allergy is distinct from food intolerance, which is not caused by an immune reaction. Food intolerances are increasingly widespread. ...

Persons diagnosed with a food allergy may carry an autoinjector of epinephrine such as an EpiPen or Twinject, wear some form of medical alert jewelry, or develop an emergency action plan, in accordance with their doctor. A 0. ... Twinject is the registered trademark of the first epinephrine autoinjector that contains two doses. ... Medical ID jewelry provides valuable information about personal medical conditions in time of emergency. ...

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of food allergies include:^[4]

• Anaphylaxis: a severe, whole-body allergic reaction that can result in death (see below)
• Angioedema: swelling, especially of the eyelids, face, lips, and tongue
• Eczema
• Hives
• Itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, or any area
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, or abdominal pain
• Runny nose or nasal congestion
• Wheezing, scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or difficulty swallowing
• Mood swings, depression

Angioedema is a skin reaction where the tissues swell. It can result in swelling/edema of the lips, skin tongue and airways (causing constriction, wheezing and difficulty breathing). It can also cause swelling of the face, eyes, hands, etc. Anaphylaxis is a severe and rapid systemic allergic reaction to a trigger substance, called an allergen. ... Angioedema (BE: angiooedema), also known by its eponym Quinckes edema, is the rapid swelling (edema) of the skin, mucosa and submucosal tissues. ... For the beetle, see Exema. ... Urticaria or Hives is a relatively common form of allergic reaction that causes. ... For other uses, see Nausea (disambiguation). ... Diarrhoea is the correct way to spell the word Diarrhoea. ... Abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms associated with transient disorders or serious disease. ... Nasal congestion is the blockage of the nasal passages usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. ... Wheezes are continuous, coarse, whistling sounds produced in the respiratory airways during breathing. ...

The symptoms of an Immunoglobulin E (IgE) allergic reaction can take place within a few minutes to an hour.^[3] The process of eating and digesting food affects the timing and location of a reaction.^[3] IgG reactions build over a period of hours to days[1], and therefore symptoms can be difficult to notice as allergy-related. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody subclass (known as isotypes), found only in mammals. ...

Food allergy can lead to anaphylactic shock: A systemic reaction involving several different bodily systems including hypotension (low blood pressure) and loss of consciousness. This is a medical emergency. Allergens commonly associated with this type of reaction are peanuts, nuts, milk, egg, and seafood. ^{[citation needed]} Food anaphylaxis can also be caused by various types of fruit.^[5] Latex products can induce similar reactions. Anaphylaxis is a severe and rapid systemic allergic reaction to a trigger substance, called an allergen. ... In physiology and medicine, hypotension refers to an abnormally low blood pressure. ... {{Otheruses4|the medical term|the Australian television series|Medical Emergenc an immediate threat to a persons life or long term health. ...

Food allergy is thought to develop more easily in patients with the atopic syndrome, a very common combination of diseases: allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, eczema and asthma.^[6] The syndrome has a strong inherited component; a family history of allergic diseases can be indicative of the atopic syndrome. In medicine, the atopic syndrome is the clustering of eczema, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma in certain individuals. ... For the play, see Hay Fever. ... For the beetle, see Exema. ...

Another type of food allergy is called Gastrointestinal Food Hypersensitivity.^[7] It can be IgE or Non-IgE mediated. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody subclass (known as isotypes), found only in mammals. ...

In this class, IgE mediated responsese include:

• Immediate GI Hypersensitivity
• Oral allergy syndrome

Conditions that have been shown to have both IgE and Non-IgE causes of gastrointestinal food hypersensitity include: ^{[citation needed]}

• Allergic eosinophilic esophagitis
• Allergic eosinophilic gastritis
• Allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis

Conditions of Non-IgE gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity include: ^{[citation needed]} Eosinophils are white blood cells that are responsible for combating infection by parasites in the body. ... Esophagitis (or Oesophagitis) is inflammation of the esophagus. ... Gastritis is inflammation of the gastric mucosa. ... Gastroenteritis involves diarrhea or vomiting, with noninflammatory infection of the upper small bowel, or inflammatory infection of the colon, both part of the gastrointestinal tract. ...

• Enterocolitis syndrome
• Dietary protein proctitis
• Celiac disease

Enterocolitis (or coloenteritis) is an inflammation of both the small and large intestine. ... Proctitis (Noun) Inflammation of the rectum. ... Coeliac disease (also termed non-tropical sprue, celiac disease and gluten intolerance) is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation of the proximal portion of the small intestine caused by exposure to certain dietary gluten proteins. ...

The Big Eight

The most common food allergies are:^[8]

• Milk allergy
• Egg allergy
• Peanut allergy
• Tree nut allergy
• Seafood allergy
• Shellfish allergy
• Soy allergy
• Wheat allergy

These are often referred to as "the big eight."^[9] They account for over 90% of the food allergies in the United States of America.^[10] Milk allergy is an immunologically mediated adverse reaction to one or more cows milk proteins. ... Egg allergy is a type of food allergy. ... Peanut allergy is a type of food allergy, distinct from nut allergies. ... Nut allergy is a type of food allergy. ... Seafood allergy is a type of food allergy. ... Seafood allergy is a type of food allergy. ... Soy allergy is a type of food allergy. ... Wheat allergy, also known as Wheat hypersensitivity is a type of food allergy. ...

Likelihood of allergy can increase with exposure^{[citation needed]}. For example, rice allergy is more common in East Asia where rice forms a large part of the diet.^[11] In Central Europe, celery allergy is more common. The top allergens vary somewhat from country to country but milk, eggs, peanuts, treenuts, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat and sesame tend to be in the top 10 in many countries.^{[citation needed]} East Asia Geographic East Asia. ... For other uses, see Rice (disambiguation). ... Central Europe The Alpine Countries and the Visegrád Group (Political map, 2004) Central Europe is the region lying between the variously and vaguely defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe. ... Binomial name L. Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ...

Diagnosis

The best method for diagnosing food allergy is to be assessed by an allergist. The allergist will review the patient's history and the symptoms or reactions that have been noted after food ingestion. If the allergist feels the symptoms or reactions are in keeping with a food allergy, he/she will perform allergy tests.

There are two basic types of allergy tests: Skin Prick Tests and blood tests. The skin prick is easy to do and results are available in minutes. Different allergists may use different devices for skin prick testing. Some use a "bifurcated needle", which looks like a fork with 2 prongs. Others use a "multi-test", which may look like a small board with several pins sticking out of it. In these tests, a tiny amount of the suspected allergen is put onto the skin or into a testing device, and the device is placed on the skin to prick, or break through, the top layer of skin. This puts a small amount of the allergen under the skin. A hive will form at any spot where the person is allergic. This test generally yields a positive or negative result. It is good for quickly learning if a person is allergic to a particular food or not, because it detects allergic antibodies known as IgE. Skin tests cannot predict if a reaction would occur or what kind of reaction might occur if a person ingests that particular allergen. They can however confirm an allergy in light of a patient's history of reactions to a particular food. IGE (Internet Gaming Entertainment) is the largest MMORPG services company world-wide, with offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Miami. ...

Blood tests, such as RAST, measure the amount of IgE antibodies, and are another useful diagnostic tool. In RAST, blood is drawn and sent to a lab for testing. Researchers have been able to determine "predictive values" for certain foods. These predictive values can be compared to the RAST blood test results. If a persons RAST score is higher than the predictive value for that food, then there is over a 95% chance the person will have an allergic reaction (limited to rash and anaphylaxis reactions) if they ingest that food. ^{[citation needed]} Currently, predictive values are available for the following foods: milk, egg, peanut, fish, soy, and wheat.^[12][13][14] Blood tests allow for hundreds of allergens to be screened from a single sample, and cover food allergies as well as inhalants. However, non-IgE mediated allergies cannot be detected by this method.

Blood testing methodologies currently available that can measure antibodies of IgG are not acceptable as a method of allergy evaluation. IgG-type anitbodies are not implicated in a food allergy reactions^[15]. The significance of IgG anti-allergen antibodies was reviewed by the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology and found to be lacking. Although a number of commercial labs sell tests that reportedly measure IgG antibodies against common allergens there is no clinical significance of such findings. It is not established that these commercial assays actually measure the IgG antibodies that they report. Also, even if the assays are measuring IgG anti- allergen antibodies, the clinical significance of such antibodies is certainly not established. The significance of IgG anti-food antibodies is particularly questionable since the sera of many children with such antibodies in their serum tolerate the foods in question perfectly well. There was one study that showed a hypothetical possibility, in rheumatoid arthritis^[16] diarrhea, and constipation, among others. Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein complex used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... Types 5-7 on the Bristol Stool Chart are often associated with diarrhea Diarrhea (in American English) or diarrhoea (in British English) is a condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel movements (from the Greek word διάρροια; literally meaning through-flowing). Acute infectious diarrhea is a common cause... Constipation or irregularity, is a condition of the digestive system where a person (or animal) experiences hard feces that are difficult to egest; it may be extremely painful, and in severe cases (fecal impaction) lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction. ...

Diagnostic tools for gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity often include endoscopy, colonoscopy, and biopsy. Endoscopic images of a duodenal ulcer A flexible endoscope. ... Colonoscopy is the minimally invasive endoscopic examination of the large colon and the distal part of the small bowel with a CCD camera or a fiber optic camera on a flexible tube passed through the anus. ... Brain biopsy A biopsy (in Greek: bios = life and opsy = look/appearance) is a medical test involving the removal of cells or tissues for examination. ...

Important differential diagnoses are: This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

• Lactose intolerance; this generally develops later in life but can present in young patients in severe cases. This is due to an enzyme deficiency (lactase) and not allergy. It occurs in many non-Western people.
• Celiac disease; this is an autoimmune disorder triggered by specific proteins such as gliadin (present in wheat, rye and barley).
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); although many IBS cases might be due to food allergy, this is an important diagnosis in patients with diarrhea in whom no allergens can be identified.
• C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency (hereditary angioedema); this rare disease generally causes attacks of angioedema, but can present solely with abdominal pain and occasional diarrhea.

Lactase is a member of the β-galactosidase family of enzyme: enzymes that hydrolysis β 1,4 bonded attachments off of galactose. ... Coeliac disease (also termed non-tropical sprue, celiac disease and gluten intolerance) is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation of the proximal portion of the small intestine caused by exposure to certain dietary gluten proteins. ... Gliadin is a glycoprotein, present in wheat and some other cereals, best known for its role, along with glutenin, in the formation of gluten. ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. compactum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 For the indie rock group see: Wheat (band). ... Angioedema (BE: angiooedema), also known by its eponym Quinckes edema, is the rapid swelling (edema) of the skin, mucosa and submucosal tissues. ... A rare disease (sometimes known as an orphan disease) has such a low prevalence in a population that a doctor in a busy general practice would not expect to see more than one case a year. ... Abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms associated with transient disorders or serious disease. ...

Pathophysiology

For more details on this topic, see allergy.

Generally, introduction of allergens through the digestive tract is thought to induce immune tolerance. In individuals who are predisposed to developing allergies (atopic syndrome), the immune system produces IgE antibodies against protein epitopes on non-pathogenic substances, including dietary components. ^{[citation needed]} The IgE molecules are coated onto mast cells, which inhabit the mucosal lining of the digestive tract. An allergy is an abnormal, acquired sensitivity to a given substance, including pollen, drugs, or numerous environmental triggers. ... Immune or immunological tolerance is the process by which the immune system does not attack an antigen. ... In medicine, the atopic syndrome is the clustering of eczema, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma in certain individuals. ... IGE (Internet Gaming Entertainment) is the largest MMORPG services company world-wide, with offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Miami. ... An epitope is the part of a macromolecule that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or cytotoxic T cells. ... Mast cells A mast cell (or mastocyte) is a resident cell of areolar connective tissue (loose connective tissue) that contains many granules rich in histamine and heparin. ...

Upon ingesting an allergen, the IgE reacts with its protein epitopes and release (degranulate) a number of chemicals (including histamine), which lead to oedema of the intestinal wall, loss of fluid and altered motility. The product is diarrhea. ^{[citation needed]} This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Edema (BE: oedema, formerly known as dropsy) is swelling of any organ or tissue due to accumulation of excess fluid. ...

Any food allergy has the potential to cause a fatal reaction.

Causes

The immune system's eosinophils, once activated in a histamine reaction, will register any foreign proteins they see. One theory regarding the causes of food allergies focuses on proteins presented in the blood along with vaccines, which are designed to provoke an immune response. Flu vaccines and the Yellow Fever vaccine are still egg-based, but the Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine stopped using eggs in 1994.^[17] There is resistance to this theory, especially as it applies to autoimmune disease.^[18] Image of an eosinophil Eosinophil granulocytes, commonly referred to as eosinophils (or less commonly as acidophils), are white blood cells of the immune system that are responsible for combating infection by parasites in vertebrates. ... Model of Influenza Virus from NIH The flu vaccine is a vaccine to protect against the highly variable influenza virus. ... The MMR vaccine is a mixture of live attenuated viruses, administered via injection for immunization against measles, mumps and rubella. ...

Another theory focuses on whether an infant's immune system is ready for complex proteins in a new food when it is first introduced.^[19]

The most popular theory at this time is the Hygiene hypothesis. Researches speculate ^{[citation needed]} that in the modern, industrialized nations, such as the United States, food allergy is more common due to the lack of early exposure to dirt and germs, in part due to the over use of antibiotics and antibiotic cleansers. This theory is based partly on studies showing less allergy in third world countries. ^{[citation needed]} Research has found ^{[citation needed]} that the body, with less dirt and germs to fight off, turns on itself and attacks food proteins as if they were foreign invaders. In medicine, the hygiene hypothesis says that an excessively hygienic environment in early childhood may predispose some people towards asthma, allergies, and other autoimmune diseases. ...

Treatment

The mainstay of treatment for food allergy is avoidance of the foods that have been identified as allergens.

If the food is accidentally ingested and a systemic reaction occurs, then epinephrine (best delivered with an autoinjector of epinephrine such as an Epipen) or Twinject should be used. It is possible that a second dose of epinephrine may be required for severe reactions. ^{[citation needed]} The patient should also seek medical care immediately. “Adrenaline” redirects here. ... “Adrenaline” redirects here. ... A 0. ...

At this time, there is no cure for food allergies.^[20] There are no allergy desensitization or allergy "shots" available for food allergies. ^{[citation needed]} Some doctors feel they do not work in food allergies because even minute amounts of the food in question or even food extracts (as in the case of allergy shots) can cause an allergic response in many sufferers. Hyposensitization (or allergy desensitization) is a form of immunotherapy where the patient is gradually vaccinated against progressively larger doses of the allergen in question. ...

According to experts at the BA Festival of Science in Norwich, England, vaccines can in theory be created using genetic engineering to cure allergies. If this can be done, food allergies could be eradicated in about ten years.^[21] Norwich (IPA: //) is a city in East Anglia, in Eastern England. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... A vaccine is an antigenic preparation used to establish immunity to a disease. ... An iconic image of genetic engineering; this autoluminograph from 1986 of a glowing transgenic tobacco plant bearing the luciferase gene, illustrating the possibilities of genetic engineering. ...

Statistics

For reasons that are not entirely understood, the diagnosis of food allergies has become more common in Western nations in recent times. Food allergy affects as many as 6% of young children and 3% to 4% of adults.^[22]

The most common food allergens include peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat - these foods account for about 90% of all allergic reactions. ^{[citation needed]}

Differing views

Various medical practitioners have a differing views on food allergies. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients have been studied with regards to food allergies. Some studies have reported on the role of food allergy in IBS; only one epidemiological study on functional dyspepsia and food allergy has been published. The mechanism by which food activates mucosal immune system is uncertain, but food specific IgE and IgG4 appeared to mediate the hypersensitivity reaction in a subgroup of IBS patients. Exclusion diets based on skin prick test, RAST for IgE or IgG4, hypoallergic diet and clinical trials with oral disodium cromoglycate have been conducted, and some success has been reported in a subset of IBS patients.^[23]

Studies comparing skin prick testing and ELISA blood testing have found that the results of skin prick testing correlate poorly with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome demonstrated through dietary challenge. ^[24]

Extensive clinical experience has demonstrated significant improvement of patients with IBS whose ELISA-based food allergy testing is positive and where treatment includes a careful exclusion diet. ^[25]

In addition, many practitioners of alternative medicine ascribe symptoms to food allergy where other doctors do not. The causal relationships between these various conditions and food allergies have not been studied extensively enough to provide sufficient evidence to become authoritative. The interaction of histamine with the nervous system receptors has been demonstrated, but more study is needed.^[26] Other immune response effects are commonly known (swelling, irritation, etc.), but their relationships to some conditions has not been extensively studied. Examples are arthritis, fatigue, headaches, and hyperactivity. Nevertheless, hypoallergenic diets reportedly can be of benefit in these conditions, indicating that the current medical views on food allergy may be too narrow. Holford and Brady (2005) suggest three levels of response; classical immediate-onset allergy (IgE), delayed-onset allergy (giving a positive response on an ELISA IgG test but rarely on an IgE skin prick test), and food intolerance (non-allergic), and claim the last two to be more common.^[27] It is important to note that IgG is present in the body and is known to respond to foods. So some medical practitioners, especially allergists, state that there is no predictive value to these types of tests, despite the studies cited above. Alternative medicine is defined as any of various systems of healing or treating disease (as chiropractic, homeopathy, or faith healing) not included in the traditional medical curricula taught in the United States and Britain.[1] Complementary medicine is defined as any of the practices (as acupuncture) of alternative medicine accepted... Look up hypoallergenic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... IGE (Internet Gaming Entertainment) is the largest MMORPG services company world-wide, with offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Miami. ... Elisa (born Elisa Toffoli on 19 December 1977) is an Italian singer and solo artist, writing and performing within several genres, notably rock, blues, soul and ambient. ... Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein complex used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... IGE (Internet Gaming Entertainment) is the largest MMORPG services company world-wide, with offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Miami. ... Food intolerances are increasingly widespread. ...

In children

Milk and soy allergies in children can often go undiagnosed for many months, causing much worry for parents and health risks for infants and children. Many infants with milk and soy allergies can show signs of colic, blood in the stool, mucous in the stool, reflux, rashes and other harmful medical conditions. ^{[citation needed]} These conditions are often misdiagnosed as viruses or colic. A glass of cows milk. ... Binomial name Glycine max Soybeans (US) or soya beans (UK) (Glycine max) are a high-protein legume (Family Fabaceae) grown as food for both humans and livestock. ... Colic may refer to: Baby colic – a condition, usually in infants, characterized by incessant crying. ... Human blood smear: a - erythrocytes; b - neutrophil; c - eosinophil; d - lymphocyte. ... Look up stool in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the medical condition. ... This article is about biological infectious particles. ...

Many children who are allergic to cow's milk protein also show a cross sensitivity to soy-based products. ^{[citation needed]} There are infant formulas in which the milk and soy proteins are degraded so when taken by an infant, their immune system does not recognize the allergen and they can safely consume the product. Soy protein is generally regarded as the storage protein held in discrete particles called protein bodies which are estimated to contain at least 60-70% of the total soybean protein. ... “Baby” redirects here. ... A scanning electron microscope image of a single neutrophil (yellow), engulfing anthrax bacteria (orange). ... An allergen is any substance (antigen), most often eaten or inhaled, that is recognized by the immune system and causes an allergic reaction. ...

About 50% of children with allergies to milk, egg, soy, and wheat will outgrow their allergy by the age of 6. Those that don't, and those that are still allergic by the age of 12 or so, have less than an 8% chance of outgrowing the allergy ^[28].

Peanut and tree nut allergies are less likely to be outgrown, although evidence now shows ^{[citation needed]} that about 20% of those with nut allergies do eventually outgrow the allergy. In such a case, they need to consume nuts in some regular fashion to maintain the non-allergic status. ^{[citation needed]} This should be discussed with a doctor.

Those with other food allergies may or may not outgrow their allergies.

Labeling laws

In response to the risk that certain foods pose to those with food allergies, countries have responded by instituting labeling laws that require food products to clearly inform consumers if their products contain major allergens or by-products of major allergens.

United States law

Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-282), companies are required to disclose on the label whether the product contains a major food allergen in clear, plain language. ^[29]

See also

• Oral Allergy Syndrome
• Medical emergency
• Mast cell

Oral Allergy Syndrome or OAS is an allergic reaction to certain (usually fresh) fruits, nuts, and vegetables. ... {{Otheruses4|the medical term|the Australian television series|Medical Emergenc an immediate threat to a persons life or long term health. ... Mast cells A mast cell (or mastocyte) is a resident cell of areolar connective tissue (loose connective tissue) that contains many granules rich in histamine and heparin. ...

Footnotes

MedlinePlus (medlineplus. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News is the department within the BBC responsible for the corporations news-gathering and production of news programmes on BBC television, radio and online. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Cooking Allergy Free
• Food You Can Eat
• The Food Allergy Kitchen
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
• American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology - Patient/Public Education: Fast Facts (Contains further references to JACI publications)
• American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) Food Allergy Information
• Food Allergy and Filter Information & Services
• Food Allergy Dictionaries in 30 languages
• http://www.foodsmatter.com/ - Research and information on all aspects of allergy and food sensitivity
• Immune Tolerance Network
• InformAll Project - Food Allergy Database
• Food Allergy Initiative
• Food Manufacturer's FALCPA Resource Center
• Allergen Planning for Food Manufacturers
• alert4allergy.org - a free service for people in Britain with food allergy
• x20051103230534239900 at GPnotebook
• Merck Home 16-185d