Updated February 28, 2024

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Food allergies affect about 33 million Americans.¹ At least 1 in every 13 children suffers from some kind of food allergy. Food allergies can also present themselves during adulthood with reactions that vary unpredictably from mild to severe. Knowing more about these allergies can make life easier—especially when it comes to eating.

Recipes.

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy is any immune system reaction that occurs after eating a certain food. Mild reactions may involve a few hives or minor abdominal pain, and others may progress to severe anaphylaxis with low blood pressure and loss of consciousness. Allergies differ from food intolerances but may have overlapping symptoms. If you suspect that you, your child, or a family member has a food allergy, consult a board-certified allergist right away.²

Diagnosing food allergies.

Diagnosis could include a combination of a convincing history, laboratory testing (skin prick test and/or serum immunoglobulin E [IgE] test), and an oral food challenge. Companies sell diagnostic tests for people to use at home, but it’s not enough just to take a test. Only an allergist can diagnose your food allergies appropriately.³

Most common food allergens.

The nine most common food allergens in the US are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame. Most recently, as of January 2023, the FDA began requiring manufacturers to call out sesame as an allergen.

Allergen hiding places.

Living with a food allergy can be challenging. This chart can help you find where food allergens may be hiding.

Reduce allergen risk. Here’s how.

Give your child something to read.
A child with a food allergy can start checking food labels as soon as he or she learns to read. Practice at home and when shopping by checking food labels with your kids. Pay attention while reading since manufacturers may change formulations from time to time.

Know the law.
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) has made it easier for people with food allergies to identify and avoid problem foods.¹³ FALCPA-regulated allergens can be called out in one of three ways:

1. In the ingredient list, using the allergen’s common name.
2. Using the word contains followed by the name of the major food allergen—for example, contains milk, wheat.
3. In the ingredient list in parentheses, when the ingredient is a less common form of the allergen—for example, albumin (egg). There are some exceptions, including:
• Highly refined oils, such as soybean or peanut, are not required to be declared as an allergen because studies show that most people with food allergies can consume them safely.
• Shellfish allergens refer to shrimp, lobster, and crab. They do not refer to oysters, scallops, and clams.

Read between the lines.
You may notice other precautionary language on food labels. These include statements such as may contain, processed in a facility that also processes, or made on equipment with. These warnings often follow the ingredients list. Such advisory labeling is voluntary for manufacturers. There are no laws governing or requiring these statements—neither when to include them nor what the wording should be. Call the company to inquire about how their products are processed, their cleaning methods, and how items are packaged.¹³

Consult an expert.
Meet with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Most RDNs can help you and your kids understand what foods and beverages are safe to consume and how best to avoid items that may cause a reaction. When you must avoid certain foods and food groups, your diet may lack important nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. A dietitian can also help identify and address gaps in nutrition. Find a registered dietitian nutritionist* in your area.

Did you know Publix has a team of knowledgeable dietitians dedicated to answering your questions? Feel free to reach out to them at publix.dietitian@publix.com.

Shop with confidence.
Take a list of foods and ingredients that include the specific allergens you need to avoid. Download the allergen avoidance lists.*¹⁴

Avoid cross-contact.
Cross-contact happens when an allergen is inadvertently transferred from a food containing an allergen to a food that does not contain the allergen. When cooking at home, use utensils, cutting boards, and pans that have been thoroughly washed with soap and water. Consider using separate utensils and dishes for making and serving safe foods. Some families use different colors to identify the safe kitchen tools.¹⁵

Cook at home.
It’s easier to control for allergens and cross-contact.

• Snacktime is sweeter with our Watermelon Ice Pops—an allergen-friendly snack made with seedless watermelon chunks and fresh or frozen strawberries.
• If you are dealing with several different food allergies in your family, sometimes a simple meal is easier. Try our Skillet Herb-Crusted Pork with Blistered Beans and Tomatoes. This one-pan meal is allergen-friendly and tastes great.

Check nonfoods for allergens too.
Prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and personal care items such as cosmetics, shampoo, or toothpaste are not subject to food allergen labeling. Be sure to read their ingredients to identify and avoid any allergens.¹⁴

For the love of you.

Choosing how you eat is uniquely personal. It’s about your needs, your preferences, and your goals. As your wellness ally, we’re in your corner with fresh ideas, recipes, and wellness icons that make it easier to shift toward wiser food choices. It’s all about you, at your very best.

Sources.

¹Facts and Statistics. Food Allergy Research & Education. Accessed January 25, 2024.

²Food Allergy Basics. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

³Tips for the Newly Diagnosed. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

⁴Milk Allergy. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

⁵Egg. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

⁶Peanut. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

⁷Tree Nuts. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

⁸Soy. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

⁹Wheat. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

¹⁰Fish. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

¹¹Crustacean Shellfish. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

¹²Sesame. FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

¹³Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team. Accessed January 25, 2024.

¹⁴Most Common Food Allergens. Kids with Food Allergies. December 2022.

¹⁵Food Allergy. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. June 28, 2023.