Food Allergy Week is an initiative by Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. In 2021, Food Allergy week runs from May 23 - 29 and aims to raise awareness of severe food allergies and the impact allergies can have on everyday life.
We are proud to help positively contribute to the lives of those with severe food allergies. We all know that BioCheese ticks all the dietary boxes – vegan, dairy free, plant-based, gluten free, but BioCheese is also a great alternative to those who can’t consume regular dairy cheese. A such, we hold a special place in our heart for our allergy conscious customers.
1 in 3 Australians will experience an allergic reaction to food in their lifetime. Australia has one of the highest rates of allergies in the world overall. According to a study by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Australia also has the highest published rates of food allergies in children. In fact, one in ten infants will be born with a food allergy. While many children grow out of their allergies, many also suffer from lifelong allergies.
In Australia, the most common allergies are:
· Wheat
· Fish
· Peanuts
· Eggs
· Shellfish
· Cow’s Milk
· Soy Beans
· Tree Nuts
In an alarming statistic, hospital admissions for allergic reactions have doubled in the last 10 years. Also, in Australia, the rate of hospitalisation for food allergy reactions in children under 4 years old increased 500% over those same 10 years.
Although there is considerable research into food allergies and how to prevent them, there is, unfortunately, no known cure. We are fortunate that Australian schools and even workplaces are working to help keep people safe by limiting what food people can bring into these environments, and that we live in a society that is generally allergy conscious, but there is still a gap in education to bridge. It’s more likely you will be able to identify symptoms of an allergic reaction or anaphylactic attack if you or a family member have been diagnosed with a specific allergy, however for those who have not experienced allergies it can be helpful to educate yourself on the signs:
Common symptoms of a basic allergic reaction are:
· Hay Fever
· Eczema
· Hives
· Asthma
· Diarrhoea
· Colic in infants
· Failure to thrive in infants
Common symptoms of a moderate allergic reaction are (including the above):
· Swelling of the lips
· Tingling around or in the mouth
· Abdominal pain
· Vomiting
Common symptoms of a severe anaphylactic attack are:
· Difficulty breathing
· Noisy breathing
· Swelling/tightness in the throat
· Difficulty talking and/or hoarse voice
· Wheeze or persistent cough
· Persistent dizziness or collapse
· Paleness and ‘floppiness’ in young children
With no known cure for food allergies, education is the main form of prevention of a severe anaphylactic attack; alongside allergy action plans and education on administering an EpiPen. You can help support Food Allergy Week raise awareness and advocate for research and education by getting involved on their website.
We’d like to say a big thank you to our allergy-conscious customers for trusting BioCheese with your health!
References:
https://allergyfacts.org.au/faw
https://allergyfacts.org.au/resources/links/food-allergy-week
http://www.alchemyhealth.com.au/the-basic-allergy-info-you-need-to-know/
https://www.bhg.com.au/food-allergies-australia