Food allergy now affects 1 in 10 babies and approximately 2 out of 100 adults in Australia. Australia has one of the highest allergy rates in the world and may be genetic. Food intolerance is even more common. Surveys indicate that up to 25% of the population believes they have a food intolerance.
Approximately two percent of all adults, 10 percent of babies under one year old, and between four and eight percent of children up to five years old suffer from a food allergy. Many children outgrow food allergies as they grow up, but allergies to nuts, peanuts, shellfish, or seeds are often conditions that last a lifetime. It's also possible to develop a food allergy or intolerance in adulthood. Wheat allergy and celiac disease are often confused with each other, but they are two different conditions.
Wheat allergy occurs when a person's immune system reacts abnormally to proteins in wheat. Like any other food allergy, wheat allergy can cause potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. For people with celiac disease, eating gluten, a type of protein found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley, triggers an immune response in the small intestine, causing uncomfortable symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain, and can damage the lining of the small intestine over time. Serious reactions to peanuts can occur after minimal contact, such as ingesting small amounts or from contact with the skin.
To avoid a potentially life-threatening reaction, food handlers must take special care to avoid accidental cross-contamination. Common peanut ingredients in commercial kitchens include peanut oil, peanut butter, and whole nuts, raw or roasted. Peanut labeling laws are very strict and may even contain statements. Many schools have completely banned peanuts and the products that are made with them as a safety measure.
Nuts, or simply “nuts”, are one of the most common food allergies around the world. Tree nuts include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, chestnuts and walnuts. As with peanuts, nut labeling laws are very strict, and you'll often see labels that say they may contain traces of nuts, even if nuts aren't one of the ingredients on the list. Shellfish refer to aquatic animals without shells, especially those that are edible, such as molluscs (p.
ex. Oysters, abalone, cockles, octopus, squid) and crustaceans (p. Seafood is a common ingredient in Asian soups, sauces and broths and as flavorings. People who handle food should take great care to avoid cross-contamination when it comes to seafood, as a small amount is often enough to cause a serious reaction.
Eggs are a common food that triggers allergies, especially in young children. Both egg white and yolk can cause an allergic reaction, so food handlers shouldn't serve either if a customer reports an egg allergy. Eggs are a common ingredient in baked goods, meringues, custard and other desserts, pasta, dressings, and processed foods, such as prefabricated hamburgers, sausages, and meat for lunch. Because eggs are used in a wide variety of products and recipes, it's important for food handlers to have a good idea of what products typically contain them.
Of course, they should always follow up with the chef or manager, or consult the company's food allergen matrix or ingredient list, before confirming or denying the presence of eggs in a particular product. Milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies worldwide and is reportedly the leading cause of food allergy in infants. Milk allergies should not be confused with lactose intolerance. Milk allergies are caused by an immune system reaction to proteins in dairy products, while lactose intolerance is caused by the body's lack of the digestive enzyme, lactase.
People with cow's milk allergies may also have allergies to other animal milk, such as goat's or sheep's milk. People who suffer from a milk allergy can use a milk substitute, such as almond or soy milk. Avoiding milk completely is relatively difficult because of the large number of products that contain it. Some surprising foods that may contain milk or dairy products include salad dressings, soy-based cheeses, cold meats, and sorbets.
Fish allergies are generally allergies to finned fish. Salmon, tuna, and halibut are the most common types of fish that people are allergic to. Fish is commonly used in broths and dressings, barbecue sauce, bouillabaisse, Caesar salad, Caesar dressing, and Worcestershire sauce. Minced fish products, such as canned tuna, have a high risk of being contaminated with many other types of fish during processing.
According to Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia, people who are allergic to fish are sometimes known to have breathing difficulties when smelling fish being cooked. Most people who have a fish allergy are advised not to cook fish at home because of the risk that the smell will trigger a serious allergic reaction. Soy allergy is less common than allergies to peanuts, eggs, or milk. Soy allergy is most commonly seen in young children, however, soy sensitization seems to increase, rather than decrease, with age.
Soybeans and other legumes are widely used in cooking. Soy milk is often used in coffee businesses, and cross-contamination between different types of milk can pose a threat to people who are allergic to soy. Allergic reactions to lupine often occur as a result of ingesting commercial products that contain “hidden” lupins, such as gluten-free pasta products. Some people who are allergic to peanuts may also be allergic to lupine, as there is a high level of cross-reactivity between the two legumes.
Be sure to check with a customer who reveals that they have a peanut allergy if foods containing lupine are safe for them. Food companies must clearly describe all the ingredients in their dishes and customers should always inform the company if they have any food allergies. The Australian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy recommends that parents introduce foods such as eggs, nuts, cow's milk, soy, sesame, wheat, fish and other seafood into their children's diet during the first 12 months of life, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. The gut microbiome has been altered by rapid changes in food manufacturing, food production and high-sugar diets over the past 50 years.
The same research estimates that approximately one in ten babies has a food allergy, and the most common food allergies that cause reactions in both adults and children in Australia are cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, other nuts, shellfish (such as crustaceans and fish), wheat and soy. For a full list of AIFS policies and terms of use, visit the Australian Institute for Food Safety support center. If you're creating a food safety program or expanding your skills to areas other than food handling, AIFS has the tools, resources, and additional training you can rely on. The gut's immune system recognizes these foods as normal food groups and is less likely to cause an allergic response.
Most of these food allergies are the result of the immune system producing an allergic antibody (called IgE) against proteins contained in foods. From coffee shops to catering companies, from market stalls to supermarkets, all food companies in Australia must meet all federal, state and local food safety training requirements. As with any food allergy, food handlers should ensure that they wash their hands properly, clean and disinfect utensils and any other equipment or surface that comes into contact with sesame, and take all other reasonable precautions to avoid cross-contamination. For reliable guidance on food safety issues, consult your local government agency or Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
Even after a successful diagnosis of food allergies, it's difficult to avoid trigger foods, and accidental exposures are common. .
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