Allergies are on the rise. Some people are aware of it, but did you know how many people have not been able to identify their allergies, or even aware that they have them? Check out the statistics and research below.
Allergy and Intolerance prevalence within Australia
Food allergy occurs in around 1 in 20 children, and there are about 2 in 100 adults who suffer from food allergy (ASCIA PCC Food allergy, 2016). This highlights the rise in allergies in recent years, but the number of people who are aware of their allergies has not increased at all. The most common triggers of allergies are eggs, cow’s milk, peanut, tree nuts, seafood, sesame, WHEAT(!), soy and fish. In surprising, but important news, the number of hospital admissions for severe allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis) has doubled over the last decade in Austalia, USA, and over in the UK. Furthermore, in Australia, out of adults who are aged between 20-45 years, approximately 1.3% were estimated to have suffered from food allergies, with some being most commonly allergic to peanuts, but they are closely followed by shrimp, cow’s milk and eggs.
Allergies and Food labelling
With all the recent stories around the world about people suffering horror stories due to their allergies and intolerances, food labelling standards are even more important. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is responsible for monitoring and assessing food allergens across Australia. LIke everywhere in the world, but particularly in Australia, there are specific foods which HAVE to be labelled and identified as ingredients on foods (these happen to be the most common allergies in the world):
- Peanuts
- Eggs
- Milk
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Sesame Seeds
- Soy
- Lupin
- Wheat
Elimination Diet
If you are aware that you have a food allergy or are suffering from any symptoms, then you will know that you need to do an elimination diet. If you are not sure how to do your elimination diet, then check out this research on food intolerances, and how food elimination has an influence in relation to IBS based on IgG antibodies.
For more information on allergy and intolerances, please log on to www.allergytestaustralia.com and have a look around our website. If you have any queries, you can send us an email or pop on to LiveChat. To order a test, click here.
