If you have a food allergy, you know that it is essential to avoid the allergen that you have a reaction to. You also know how quickly adverse reactions can occur, and how serious they may become. No matter how careful you are, allergens can be found in products where you least expect them. One of the benefits of allergy free foods is knowing precisely what you are getting in the products you eat.
It is estimated that two percent of adults and from four to eight percent of children suffer from food allergies. Also, the number of younger people who have them seems to be increasing. Approximately 30,000 Americans each year are taken to hospital emergency rooms because of severe food allergy reactions. So, it is very important to closely manage this condition, and the best defense is avoidance of the substance that causes an allergic reaction.
An allergic reaction to food will usually take place within an hour of eating it, and sometimes in only minutes. An itching in the mouth or elsewhere is one of the milder symptoms, but reactions can be very serious, as in anaphylactic shock, and even fatal if not treated soon enough. Unfortunately, while some food allergies can be outgrown, there is no way to cure them.
Approximately 90 percent of all food allergies are caused by eight foods. These are fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, egg, milk, tree nuts and peanuts. Obviously, one can fairly easily avoid some of them, such as shellfish or fish. Others, however, being included as ingredients in other products, are less obvious. Wheat, egg, milk and soy are used widely in many different products. Even foods such as chocolate candy and Asian condiments may include peanuts, a major allergen for many.
In 2004, the United States Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. This law made it mandatory for food manufacturers to disclose on their product labels any of the eight major food allergens that were part of the food being sold. However, the companies were not required to state whether the facilities used for one product also were used in processing other foods containing known allergens.
Cross-contamination statements have been included voluntarily on labels by some food processors. But, there remains some potential risk when purchasing foods that are made for consumers in general, without regard to allergies. For some people, only a tiny amount of a substance is necessary for a very serious reaction to occur. Products made specially for those with food allergies are more likely to be safe to eat.
When in doubt about the safety of a particular food with regard to allergens, one can contact the manufacturer with questions concerning ingredients or cross-contamination. Foods produced by companies focused on allergen-free products may provide a higher degree of assurance that their foods are safe. One of the benefits of allergy free foods is, along with physical safety, greater peace of mind in knowing that you and your family are at lower risk for food allergic reactions.
Learn more on allergy free salsa and gluten-free breads.
Related posts:
- What Types Of Dog Allergies Should You Be Concerned About?
- Exactly How To Reduce Allergic Symptoms
- Allergies Are Becoming More Common in Dogs
- Do We Have Certified Hypoallergenic Pillows?
- Very Good Points About Dogs
- Accelerated Eating of Organically-Grown Foods
- Free Online Games And The Benefits They Offer
- A Tazer Is A Risk-free Protection Product
- The Many Useful Benefits Received From Hepa Filter Vacuums And Similar Products.
- Mould Basics for Home Owners
Tags: advice, all, allergies, articles, diet, etc, family, health, Home, internet, nutrition