Get to know food allergens

Most food allergies cause relatively mild and minor symptoms, some food allergies can cause severe reactions, and may even be life-threatening.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services and Food and Drug Administration reports, “each year, millions of Americans have allergic reactions to food. Although most food allergies cause relatively mild and minor symptoms, some food allergies can cause severe reactions, and may even be life-threatening.” To protect your family, friends and yourself who might be allergic to certain foods, it is important to know the food allergens and to read labels when buying and preparing foods.

The eight foods identified by the law are: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish (crab, lobster, shrimp), tree nuts (almonds and walnuts), peanuts, wheat, and soybeans (including foods made with or from soybeans).

To assist consumers who experience allergies from food, Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA). It is reported by the FDA that “the law applies to all foods whose labeling is regulated by FDA, both domestic and imported. The FDA regulates the labeling of all foods, except for poultry, most meats, certain egg products and most alcoholic beverages.

Michigan State University Extension encourages consumers to be aware of these symptoms. If a person eats a food allergen, that person with food allergies may experience severe, or even life-threatening, allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. Other symptoms can include hives, flushed skin or rash, swelling of face, tongue or lips, coughing or wheezing, vomiting and/or diarrhea, difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness.

Finally, read ingredients on food packages and on food labels to make certain they are free of allergens if you are serving foods to people with known allergies.

Families can help by discussing these concerns so that others are aware of the person’s needs. We can all help to protect consumers from these allergens by taking time to read the label to discover where the allergens are present.

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