Recent data show that the number of people that suffers food allergy or food intolerance to some products is increasing. Approximately 15 million people in the United States have food allergies. The Food Allergy Research & Resource Program currently estimates the prevalence of IgE-mediated food allergies in the USA at 3.5 – 4.0% of the overall population. In children, it increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011. As for nuts, it is estimated that the prevalence of peanut and tree nut allergy in US children more than tripled between 1997 and 2008. In Europe, the prevalence of food allergy/intolerance in adults is approximately 5%.
With this in mind, the INC has created an Allergens Toolkit with practical information and tips on: What is food allergy?, How common are allergies?, Diagnosis, Labeling, Key aspects of allergen management, New findings and Resources.
You may download and print the Toolkit from the website www.nutfruit.org/industry/allergens-toolkit.