FOOD ALLERGY FACTS

• 1 In 13 Children at school have food allergies.
  
  
• Allergic reactions to food can be life threatening.
  
  
• More than 170 foods can cause food allergies. Non-food items commonly found in schools such as finger paint, paste, or molding clay may contain allergens.
  
  
• Children with food allergies often feel isolated.

• Food base allergies are growing at an exponential rate in children, beyond current measurement.

• About 5 percent of all school children in the United States have a food allergy.

• There is no medical cure for severe food allergies.

• The eight most common food allergies are: Egg, Milk, Wheat-Gluten, Fish, Shellfish, Peanut, Tree Nut, and Soy.  About 20 percent of allergic reactions to food occur when children are at school.
  
  
• 25 Percent of life threatening allergic reactions to food at school occurred to children with no previous allergic diagnosis.

• Children with food allergies or asthma are often bullied.

• Food allergies can have deeply emotional impact on children.