Food for thought

11:34am Tuesday 1st May 2007

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WHAT are you allergic to? Cat fur? Dust mites? Latex? Peanuts? Seafood? Chemicals? Penicillin?

About a third of the population - 20 million people - will develop a food allergy according to a recent Government estimate.

The amount of people suffering with food allergies has trebled in the past five years.

Anaphylaxis, also known as anaphylactic shock, is a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction mainly to food.

Anaphylaxis is the body's immune system reacting badly to the presence of a foreign object such as food.

The whole body is affected, usually within minutes of contact with the object, but sometimes a reaction can take place hours later.

Anaphylaxis can be triggered by a very wide range of foods such as peanuts, nuts, sesame seeds, fish, shellfish, dairy products, eggs and strawberries.

The symptoms can range from a mild skin reaction such as a swollen face or lips to a drop in blood pressure and narrowing of the airways.

And there has been a huge rise in the number of products sold to people concerned they suffer from food allergies or intolerances.

Research by Mintel shows the market for products free from potential problem foods such as dairy, gluten, wheat and nuts grew by 165 per cent between 2004 and 2006.

Mintel say the market has grown because more people believe they have a food allergy or intolerance.

Some researchers suggest it has become fashionable to have the "designer disorder" such as a intolerance or allergy.

A survey of 1,000 women carried out by Mintel, found one in 10 avoided eating wheat, lactose and gluten.

James McCoy, a senior consumer analyst for Mintel, said: "This study indicates food intolerance and food allergies are creating a substantial market demand for specialist foods."

Muriel Simmons, chief executive of Allergy UK, based in Swanley, says having a food allergy can be scary.

She said: "Most of the people with food allergies would love to be able to safely eat the food which could kill them.

"Having a food allergy is both scary and incredibly inconvenient and I speak from personal experience."

Bromley resident Claire Quill, who has recently been tested for food allergies, said: "I had been experiencing really bad stomach cramps.

"So I got tested by a doctor and found I was allergic to so many different types of food.

"Now I have cut the foods such as wheat, apples and citrus fruits out of my diet and I feel so much better.

"I would recommend it."