Food Safety and Allergies

With the onset of spring, many people are affected by different types of pollen that bloom in certain grasses and plants.  It is the obvious reaction that people suffer from that has the Antihistamine sales through the roof.  However, there is another type of allergy that can affect people no matter what season it is, the food allergy.  For people who are sensitive to certain foods or food additives, a reaction can occur within minutes or hours.  The symptoms can range from mild to life threatening.  For companies that deal with food, they need to protect their customers health and against any potential liability.  According to the United States Department of Agriculture, here are some important facts: 

1)    Food allergies affect about 2% of adults and 4% to 8% of children each year, resulting in 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations and 150 deaths.

2)    Eight foods account for 90% of all allergic reactions, they are: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.

3)    Food allergies are the leading cause of “Anaphylaxis”, a sudden, severe and potentially deadly reaction.  Insect stings and some medications can also cause “Anaphylaxis”.

4)    Symptoms of food allergies typically appear within minutes or 2 hours after consumption, they are: hives, flushed skin or rash, itchy sensation in the mouth, facial swelling, vomiting/diarrhea, cramps, dizziness, swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing and drop in blood pressure.

5)    All food offered for sale in packaged form containing two or more ingredients is required by Federal Regulations to bear an “Ingredient” label with a “Contains” statement. A “Contains” statement on an “Ingredient” label must identify all of the major food allergens in packaged foods.