Food Allergy News and Research

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Food allergies occur when the immune system identifies the proteins contained within food as foreign bodies and mounts an attack in the same way as it does when microbes and bacteria are detected.

Children with severe food allergic reactions need two doses of epinephrine

In a large six-year review of emergency department (ED) data, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston, in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, found that many children with severe food-related allergic reactions need a second dose of epinephrine, suggesting that patients carrying EpiPens should carry two doses instead of one.

25 Mar 2010

New study suggests rising childhood obesity is linked to food allergies

First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” Campaign tells us that about 32 percent of children and teens (or 25 million) are obese or overweight. It revealed those extra pounds put them at greater risk of developing debilitating and costly diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and may also cause them to lead a two to five year shorter life than their parents

10 Mar 2010

National Jewish Health receives $450,000 grant to study how different families adapt to life with food allergies

Families with food-allergic children face a life of constant vigilance and the looming fear of life-threatening allergic reactions. This fear can have a huge impact on an entire family's life, from heightened anxiety to severe limits on their daily activities. Some families cope well with this situation, while others find it extremely stressful and difficult to manage.

10 Mar 2010

Pediatrics researchers identify major gene location responsible for EoE

Pediatrics researchers have identified the first major gene location responsible for a severe, often painful type of food allergy called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). In this disease, which may cause weight loss, vomiting, heartburn and swallowing difficulties, a patient may be unable to eat a wide variety of foods.

7 Mar 2010

Phadia AB plans to provide access for specialists to peanut allergen components

Today, at the 2010 Annual Meeting of The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Phadia, the world leader in in vitro allergy diagnostics, announced plans to provide access for specialists to peanut allergen components. These plans support Phadia’s goal to expand collaboration with allergy and immunology specialists in order to advance the understanding of the clinical utility of allergen component test results.

27 Feb 2010

New guidance document to prevent food allergies

For the first time, national authorities carrying out official food allergen controls have a common basis for accepting validated testing methods. Consumers allergic to certain food ingredients will benefit from an increased level of protection by the availability of harmonised and reliable testing methods, and international trade will be facilitated by applying mutually-agreed testing protocols.

19 Feb 2010

Study identifies new mechanism that causes allergic response in people

WHAT: A new study in human cells has singled out a molecule that specifically directs immune cells to develop the capability to produce an allergic response. The signaling molecule, called thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), is key to the development of allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and food allergy.

21 Jan 2010

New book on baking recipes for people with food allergies

More than 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies, or one in 25. According to The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, one in 17 children age three and under have a food allergy, and these numbers are rising rapidly. The rate of peanut allergy alone has doubled over the last ten years.

9 Jan 2010

Knowledge gaps exist among physicians in diagnosis and management of food allergy

With an estimated four to six percent of children in the U.S. suffering from food allergies, a new study shows that pediatricians and family physicians aren't always confident they have the ability to diagnose or treat food allergies.

10 Dec 2009

Unilever and FDA recall certain Shedd’s Country Crock chilled side-dish products

Unilever United States, Inc., of Englewood Cliffs, NJ, in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is voluntarily recalling certain Shedd’s Country Crock® chilled side-dish products because they may contain undeclared sulfites.

21 Nov 2009

Food allergies among children is increasing: Study

A newly published article provides further evidence that the prevalence of food allergies among children is increasing. The article, "Food Allergy Among Children in the United States" appears in the December issue of Pediatrics, a US medical journal.

17 Nov 2009

New data on diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases to be presented at the ACAAI meeting

Researchers are unveiling new data on investigational findings in nearly 450 abstracts on the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases at the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Miami Beach, Fla., Nov. 5-10.

9 Nov 2009

Dietary options and better detection improve food allergy management procedures

Less restrictive dietary options, better detection, targeted avoidance measures, educational directives and potential new therapies are improving food allergy management and giving hope to the more than 12 million Americans affected according to experts at the thirteenth international food allergy conference held during the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla.

5 Nov 2009

Tips to prevent allergy during Halloween

The haunted happenings of Halloween are upon us and soon we'll be carving pumpkins, dressing in costumes and telling spooky stories. But if your child has a food allergy, what's at the bottom of his or her trick-or-treat bag may be more frightening than any ghost or goblin.

23 Oct 2009

Children rally for improved education and funding for food allergies

More than eighty children with personal stories of the challenges of managing food allergies spoke to their elected representatives and rallied for improved education and funding for food allergies during the third Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN) Kids’ Congress on Capitol Hill last week.

6 Oct 2009

Advisory labels to help combat swine flu

Out With Allergies LLC has announced the introduction of FluNotes(TM), "Wash Hands Fight Flu"(TM) advisory labels as a potent new weapon for combating swine flu. Available through their website, www.FluNotes.com, these stick-on notes are intended to make people more aware that they must wash their hands frequently to avoid catching and spreading the flu.

24 Aug 2009

Experts explore link between allergies and interstitial cystitis

Allergy testing and treatment may offer a new therapeutic option for many patients with interstitial cystitis (IC). IC is a severely painful bladder condition affecting as many as 8 million women and 1.5 million men in the United States. Patients and the providers who treat them have long noticed a correlation between allergies and IC.

22 Jun 2009

A link found between childhood obesity and allergies

A new study indicates there may be yet another reason to reduce childhood obesity - it may help prevent allergies. The study published in the May issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology showed that obese children and adolescents are at increased risk of having some kind of allergy, especially to a food.

4 May 2009

Researchers find an increased rate of unintentional injection of epinephrine from auto-injectors for anaphylaxis

Researchers find an increased rate of unintentional injection of epinephrine from auto-injectors for anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) and urge people who may need to administer the life-saving drug to themselves or others in an allergic emergency to receive regular coaching in its proper use.

6 Apr 2009

Children can complete treatment for peanut allergies and achieve long-term tolerance

A carefully administered daily dose of peanuts has been so successful as a therapy for peanut allergies that a select group of children is now off treatment and eating peanuts daily, report doctors at Duke University Medical Center and Arkansas Children's Hospital.

15 Mar 2009