Allergens

Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered by your body's immune system. Allergic reactions to food can sometimes cause serious illness and death. The foods that most often trigger allergic reactions 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

Understanding Food Allergy (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) Excellent introduction to food allergies including:

• What Is Food Allergy?
• Food Allergy or Food Intolerance?
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

Food Allergy (NIH MedlinePlus)
Trusted health information on causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

Food Allergens (FDA)
Information on allergens and labeling for consumers and industry.

Food Allergies: What You Need to Know (FDA)
Consumer overview of food allergies, including the 8 foods that most often trigger allergic reactions, symptoms, labeling, and serious reactions (anaphylactic shock).

Food Allergies: Reducing the Risk (FDA)
Tips to help prevent allergic reactions and details on the difference between food allergies and food intolerance.
Watch the video or read the article (2:40 minutes)