Allergies - Food

As of January, 2006 the FDA has required that all foods are labeled with common food allergens it might contain. This labeling must be done in language that is understood by adults and older children. Additionally, the labeling must reveal hidden allergens. For example, in the past a label might note that casein was an ingredient. Now, the label must note that casein is a by-product of milk, or state milk products on label.

Food Allergy
An allergic reaction to certain foods may be seen as an upset stomach, loose stools, vomiting, skin rash, and breathing problems. Occasionally, anaphylactic shock may occur. This symptom is always a medical emergency. Allergic reactions to food can appear, in some people, whether the food is ingested or whether food particles are inhaled. The most common food allergens are milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and fish.

It is important to distinguish between three conditions involving adverse reactions to food.

• Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to some sort of food or ingredient that occurs every time the food is eaten, but particularly if larger quantities are consumed.
  

Food allergies are officially thought to afflict less than 1% of the US population. However, they may not be rare at all. We may just not notice minor reactions, or be "masked" to them since we experience them so often. When we are accustomed to "feeling that way," we may chalk our symptoms up to something else.

An allergy is an inappropriate and potentially damaging immune system response to a substance in the environment, such as pollen or house dust mites.

If a person reacts to such a substance, it means their body has become hypersensitive to that substance. Another person in the same place at the same time might not react. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen.

"Unilever, the world's biggest ice cream maker" is using an artificial equivalent of an n "anti-freeze" protein which allows a fish - the ocean pout - to survive extreme cold. (Unilever now owns Ben and Jerry's.) GM modified ice cream has been sold in the US for 3 years according to this Indepent newspaper article.

On June 12 , 2006, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets alerted consumers who are sensitive to eggs not to consume "Original Yousuf Confectionary Dry Cake" due to undeclared eggs.

Although people assume that "...both soy and soy isoflavones deliver many health benefits, including prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis, as well as treatment of menopausal symptoms", the science is less absolute and still evolving.

Research shows that food allergies affect the daily activities of a large number of children and their families. Furthermore, the management of these problems requires considerable time, energy, and vigilance.