Food Allergy Foundation is Celebrating Our Anniversary

Food Allergies

Food Allergies in America 

More Americans than ever before are suffering from food allergies. It is among the country's most common, yet often overlooked, diseases. There are no cures for food allergies. Scientists estimate that as many as 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies, including approximately 6 million children. Food allergies affect an estimated 6 to 8 percent of children under age 5, and about 3 to 4 percent of adults. 90% of all food allergy reactions are cause by 8 foods: milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. Food allergies account for 30,000 visits to the emergency room each year. More than 200 deaths occur each year due to food allergies.

Eight foods account for 90 percent of all food-allergic reactions:

• Peanut
• Tree Nuts
• Milk
• Egg
• Fisk
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Wheat

Some of these allergens may be outgrown, but others, such as peanut and shellfish, will remain lifelong allergies.