Child Newly Diagnosed with a Food Allergy? What You Need to Know
Published on
Published on
If your child has been recently diagnosed with a food allergy, you probably have a lot of questions. Your child’s clinical team in the Food Allergy Center can fill you in on all the specifics about your child’s condition, allergens and precautions you should take to keep your child as safe as possible. The information below can serve as a food allergy primer as you navigate your path forward for your child with a food allergy.
Many parents of children with food allergies say they have had to become “food detectives” – reading labels and following clues – to avoid exposure to an allergen and the possibility of anaphylaxis. Clinicians urge patients and parents to always carry or have easy access to epinephrine in case an accidental exposure occurs.
According to the U.S. Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004, all packaged foods (like you buy at the grocery store) must disclose the presence of eight major food allergens – soon to be nine – and use the common names of these foods on the ingredients list.
Food labels must use the phrase “Contains ….” and list out any of these major allergens:
These foods account for more than 90% of all documented food allergies in the U.S. and are considered the foods most likely to produce a severe or life-threatening reaction if ingested by someone allergic to them.
Food manufacturers will be required to add “sesame” to this list by January 2023.
One note: Coconut is classified and labeled as a tree nut by FALCPA, but it is a fruit and does not need to be avoided by children with tree nut allergies.
Precautionary Allergy Labeling (commonly called PAL) is:
Most people with IgE-mediated food allergies can tolerate foods with a PAL warning, but it depends on the individual’s sensitivity to the food allergen. It’s best to discuss with your child’s allergist before eating foods with these precautionary labels.
Ask your child’s doctor about possible differences in PAL labeling from large companies versus smaller company or local foods. Some food allergy families choose to avoid all PAL-labeled food – which may lead to possible unnecessary diet restriction. Other families, on the other hand, may not be minding PAL labels with enough caution and could potentially experience an allergic reaction. We encourage families to help their children avoid foods with PAL labeling until they can contact the food manufacturer to ask specifically about manufacturing practices and the risk of exposure to their child’s specific allergen.
According to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, all cosmetics for the skin, hair or nails must label all ingredients on their packaging. This includes any food-based items, if used.
You should discuss this with your child’s allergist based on your child’s allergen sensitivity level. In general, there is not be enough protein in these products to trigger a reaction. Food proteins in cosmetics and lotions may be irritating to those with sensitive skin or eczema; however, they will not trigger a systemic reaction if used as directed.
If your child ingests these products, you may need to seek help.
Oils from certain foods are found in a multitude of products found in your home or other places your child may visit. These products could pose a challenge for your child with food allergies – even if the product is not intended to be eaten.
What should you be aware of:
The presence of protein in oil depends on the extraction and processing method:
Test your knowledge about food allergies today and get tips to keep your child safer.
If you have questions about your child’s food allergies, please reach out to your CHOP allergist by calling 215-590-2549 or contact us online.
Contributed by: Megan O. Lewis, MSN, CRNP and Gita Ram, MD