New findings for food allergies

Related tags Food allergies Food allergy Allergy

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 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.

Related topics Science

Related news

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars