Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts to certain proteins in food. These reactions range from relatively mild — hives and lip swelling for example — to severe, such as anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening respiratory problem. While promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are being developed, food allergies currently cannot be cured. Since May is Food Allergy Action Month, it’s especially appropriate to learn how to recognize and manage food allergies, which are the keys to preventing serious health consequences.
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA), identified the following eight foods as major food allergens:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
People with food allergies should carefully check labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. In parentheses, following the name of the ingredient.
- Examples: “lecithin (soy),” “flour (wheat),” and “whey (milk)”
- — OR —
- Immediately after or next to the list of ingredients in a “contains” statement.
- Example: “Contains wheat, milk, and soy.”
Symptoms of food allergies typically appear from within a few minutes to a few hours after a person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic. A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of allergic reactions can include:
- Hives
- Flushed skin or rash
- Tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth
- Face, tongue, or lip swelling
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
People with a known food allergy who begin experiencing any of these symptoms should stop eating the food immediately, evaluate the need to use emergency medication (such as epinephrine) and seek medical attention. Some of these symptoms are not always due to a food allergen. So, it is important to seek proper care and diagnosis from a healthcare provider to determine if the symptoms were due to a food allergen.
If you or a family member has had an allergic reaction after eating an FDA-regulated food or food product with unclear labelling or a possible undeclared allergen, discuss this with your health care provider. Keep any food packages because they may contain important information.
At RCL SAFETY CENTRE, Our food hygiene and safety training reduce the chances of food contamination or food poisoning, protecting both the public and companies’ reputation. It also covers Food safety-policies, guidelines and national laws of the occupational safety and health dept.
For more information visit our
website: www.safetycentre.ng
Email: lois@safetycentre.ng
contact us on 08099700070, 09057666623