ALLERGIES AND FOOD SAFETY

With the holidays approaching and the focus on food and food sharing, it is important to keep in mind those among us with food allergies and how to keep them safe.

 

The percentage of children with a food allergy has increased by about 50% between 1997 and 2011. One in 13 children in the U.S. now has a food allergy. Around 15 million people in the United States have a food allergy. -http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/

Any food can be an allergen. The most common food allergies are milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish and tree nuts.

Avoiding the allergen is the only way to keep a person with an allergy safe, and we all need to do our part this holiday season.  

- Label ingredients in all dishes
- Do not cross contaminate utensils used in food prep for shared         food items

- Wash your hands before and after food prep
- Be prepared to react to an allergic reaction, have a safety plan          and an emergency kit on hand
- Know the signs and symptoms of a reaction


The most severe allergic reaction a person can have is called anaphylaxis, and this can be very dangerous.  The signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis are:

-Skin rashes, itching and hives
-Swelling of the lips tongue or throat
-Trouble breathing, wheezing (whistling sound while breathing)
-Dizziness and or fainting
-Stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting
-Feeling like something awful is about to happen







An EpiPen is a life saving medication for a person having an allergic reaction, always call 911 after administration.  



The only way to determine a true allergy is to get allergy testing.  An allergic reaction looks very different from a food intolerance:

Be SAFE and Happy Holidays!!

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