Food allergy and anaphylaxis affect millions of people globally. Here we outline some facts about food allergy and related issues from the perspective of various countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States
Australia (represented by Anaphylaxis Australia, formerly Food Anaphylactic Children Training and Support Association)
Top three concerns:
Food labeling
Management of anaphylaxis in doctors’ surgeries, emergency departments, and schools
Epinephrine availability and cost
Prevalence:
The prevalence of anaphylaxis in Australia is estimated to be one in 100 people.
Common food allergens:
Milk, peanuts, shellfish, eggs, tree nuts, fish, sesame, and soy.
Treatment:
Adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) is the medication prescribed in Australia to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). It is available in the form of an EpiPen(r) and also in the form of ampoule and syringe.
EpiPen(r)s can be purchased over the counter in a pharmacy, but most people obtain a prescription prior to purchase.
Antihistamines such as Telfast(r), Claratyne(r), Zyrtec(r), Phenergan(r), and Polaramine(r) can be purchased over the counter only from pharmacies.
Emergency services:
In Australia, dial 000. Specify that someone is having an anaphylactic reaction so that an intensive care ambulance, which is equipped with epinephrine, can be dispatched. General ambulances will arrive as soon as possible.
Labeling:
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regulates packaged-food labeling.
- Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight.
- Additives are listed by common name or according to their code number; for example, flavour enhancer (MSG) or flavour enhancer (621).
- The FSANZ Food Standards Code is being phased in now and will be operational beginning Dec. 20, 2002.
Under the new FSANZ Food Standards Code, wheat, gluten-containing cereals, crustacea, eggs, fish, milk, tree nuts, sesame seeds, peanuts, soy, and sulfites must be named on the ingredient list at all times without exception.
The cutoff for all other component ingredients is now 5 percent. The use of class names (i.e., “starch” or “vegetable oil”) has been restricted for the foods listed in the previous paragraph.