The 8 Most Common Food Allergens are Responsible for Over 90% of all Allergic Reactions

Every year, millions of Americans have allergic reactions to foods consumed at home and/or restaurants. A majority of food allergies cause relatively mild and minor symptoms; however some food allergies can cause severe reactions, and may even be life-threatening.

Food Handler (at home or in a restaurant) need to take extra precautions when serving foods to people with known allergies.

There are no cures for food allergies.

Strict avoidance of food allergens — and early recognition and management of allergic reactions to food — are important measures to prevent serious health consequences.

The 8 Most common food allergens are responsible for oner 90% of  all allergic reactions.

You can download the chart below.

The Big 8 Common Food Allergens

The eight foods identified by the law are

1. Milk
2. Eggs
3. Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
4. Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)
5. Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
6. Peanuts
7. Wheat
8. Soybeans

Most symptoms of a food allergy usually develop within about an hour after eating the offending food. The most common symptoms of a food allergy include:

• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body
• Wheezing, nasal congestion, or trouble breathing
• Hives, itching, or skin rash
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nau­sea, or vomiting
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

A severe allergic reaction to food—called anaphylaxis— will cause more extreme versions of the above reactions. Anaphylaxis may also become life-threatening.

Some of signs and symp­toms of Anaphylaxis are:

• Swelling of the throat and air pas­sages that makes it difficult to breathe
• Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure
• Rapid, irregular pulse
• Loss of consciousness