2.
Happy Holidays!
As we enter a time of celebration and sharing, be aware
that those around you might be one of the millions of
Americans that have a food allergy.
3.
What Are Allergens?
An allergy is a reaction of the immune system to a normally
harmless element. These include, but are not limited to:
Food proteins
Substances
Latex
Plants (poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac, nettles)
Fragrance (perfumes, contents in lotions and detergents)
Metals
Rubber
Aeroallergens
Dust Mites
Pollen
Mold
Stinging Insects
Drugs
4.
What Are Food Allergens?
While more than 160 foods can cause allergic reactions in
people with food allergies, the law identifies the eight
most common allergenic foods.
Milk
Eggs
Fish (e.g. bass, flounder, cod)
Crustacean shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster, shrimp)
Tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, pecans)
Peanuts
Wheat
Soybeans
5.
Food Allergen Awareness at
Work and Home
Although most food allergies cause relatively mild and minor
symptoms, some food allergies can cause severe reactions, and
may even be life-threatening.
There is no cure 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.
To help Americans avoid the health risks posed by food
allergens, Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and
consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA).
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm079311.htm
6.
What Are the Symptoms of an
Allergic Reaction?
Hives
Flushed skin or rash
Tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth
Face, tongue, or lip swelling
Vomiting and/or diarrhea
Abdominal cramps
Coughing or wheezing
Dizziness and/or lightheadedness
Swelling of the throat and vocal cords
Difficulty breathing
Loss of consciousness
7. What to do if symptoms occur
Administer treatment immediately if the victim has medication
(such as an Epi-pen)
Seek medical treatment immediately! In severe cases, call 911
8.
Severe Allergic Reactions-
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis
Constricted airways in the lungs
Severe lowering of blood pressure and shock (“anaphylactic
shock”)
Suffocation by swelling of the throat
Each year in the U.S., it is estimated that anaphylaxis to
food results in:
30,000 emergency room visits
2,000 hospitalizations
150 deaths
9.
Food Sensitivities
Many people have difficulty digesting certain foods.
Food sensitivity/intolerance is not life threatening,
but can cause sufferers a great deal of discomfort.
10.
Common Types of Food
Sensitivities
Lactose Intolerance
The body can not easily digest lactose, a natural sugar
found in milk and dairy products. This is not the same as a
food allergy to milk. It can cause gas, belly pain, and
bloating. Some people who are lactose intolerant can eat or
drink small amounts of milk or dairy products, and others
cannot digest milk products at all.
Celiac Disease
A digestive and autoimmune disorder that causes damage
to the lining of the small intestine when foods with gluten
are eaten. The damage makes it hard for the body to absorb
nutrients from food. Gluten is a type of protein found in the
grains wheat, barley, rye, and triticale (a wheat-rye cross).
11.
Common Types of Food
Sensitivities
Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis happens when pouches form in the wall
of the colon and become inflamed or infected. People
who have diverticulitis are advised not consume nuts,
corn, popcorn, and fruits with seeds like strawberries
and tomatoes. It was believed these foods would get
stuck in the diverticula and cause inflammation, but
new research is showing this may not be the case. If
you or a family member have been diagnosed with
diverticulitis, talk to your family doctor about what
dietary choices are right for you.
12.
Ways to Keep Others With Food
Allergies Safe
Keep your carry-in dish or menu at home for
gatherings free of allergens
Tell everyone at the meal if a dish contains and
allergen
Don’t prepare anything “exotic”. Keep the menu
simple with familiar food items
Label items that contain allergens. There are many
products available as well as creative ideas on
websites like Pinterest for labeling buffet foods!
