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.
