Allergy Awareness

Allergy basics:

Food intolerance and allergies have different causes but similar symptoms.  Food intolerance occurs when the body is unable to properly digest certain foods, whereas food allergies occur when the body reacts to a certain food with an immune response.

If you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly attacks a substance, usually a protein, found in particular foods. Fortunately, food allergies are rare (only 1–2% of the world’s population are affected), although they can be very severe and in some cases cause death.  The best way to avoid a food  allergen is to avoid the food or foods that contain it.

Some foods are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than others.  Some examples are listed below;

• Peanuts and peanut products (including peanut oil)
• Nuts from trees (including walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds)
• Wheat and wheat products
• Fish and seafood products
• Eggs and egg products
• Milk and milk products
• Sesame seeds and sesame seed products

As even the tiniest amount of allergen can cause an allergic reaction it is extremely important you know what is in the food you offer.

If your body can’t digest a particular type of food, this can make you feel unwell – this is food intolerance. Food intolerances are not usually life-threatening, although can be extremely uncomfortable. Symptoms of food intolerance can include nausea, bloating, vomiting and diarrhoea.