The heated debate about food allergies and the implications for food manufacturers looks set to continue as a new study conducted in the UK claims the risk of death to children age 15 due to a food allergy is slim.
The study by Macdougall, Cant and Colver said that "the finding of so few deaths in such a large population should reassure parents and doctors that the risk of death is small.''
However, the non-profit organisation Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), a consumer advocacy group based in the US, urged parents to be wary of letting their guard down. "This report should not be misinterpreted as a rationalisation for less awareness, education, and preparation when it comes to managing food allergies in a school setting, child care facility, camp or any other environment inhabited by children,'' stated Anne Munoz-Furlong, founder of FAAN.
"Reactions may be 'rare,' according to the doctors who conducted the research, but perhaps the conclusion has more to do with the fact that most parents of food-allergic children are vigilant about monitoring their diets and surroundings,'' said Munoz-Furlong.
A recent study by Bock of 32 peanut allergy fatalities showed that 54 per cent of those who died were in the 10- to 19-year-old range. In the Macdougall study, five of the eight deaths were in the 13-15 age range.
There is no cure for food allergies, and not all allergies are outgrown; avoidance of the allergen is the only way to prevent a reaction.