Food allergies

Learn about anaphylaxis and more

Both food 'allergies' and 'intolerances' are types of sensitivity to food. However, they are very different in nature and severity. Allergies to food can be very serious and may cause a potentially life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can happen within a few minutes of eating a food product.

Food intolerance is less severe and doesn't involve the immune system, but nevertheless can make us ill or have long-term health affects.

The symptoms of food allergies can include:

coughing
dry, itchy throat and tongue
itchy skin or rash
nausea and feeling bloated
diarrhoea and/or vomiting
wheezing and shortness of breath
swelling of the lips and throat
runny or blocked nose
sore, red and itchy eyes
faintness and collapse

It is important that friends, family and colleagues know when you are suffering an allergic reaction to food, as urgent action is vital.

Some examples of foods which can cause allergic reactions:

peanuts
tree nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios and macadamia
nuts
eggs
milk
crustaceans (including prawns, crab and lobster)
fish
sesame seeds
cereals containing gluten (including wheat, rye, barley and oats)
soya
celery
mustard
sulphites and sulphur dioxide (preservatives used in some foods and drinks) at levels above 10mg per kg or per litre

Latest allergy alerts

For those who suffer from food allergies it is crucial that you receive the correct information regarding food labelling and ingredients. Where a food item has been withdrawn from sale, for example, due to incorrect or insufficient labelling, receiving this information quickly can be very beneficial.