Food Allergy: (noun) A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful.  Although an individual could be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, there are eight foods that account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions.  These are:  milk, egg, peanut, tree nut (walnut, cashew, etc.), fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.  Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death.

Celiac Disease: WHAT IS CELIAC DISEASE?  Celiac disease is a lifelong autoimmune intestinal disorder, found in individuals who are genetically susceptible learn more

Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diets for Autism: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are developmental disorders that affect children by disrupting their ability to communicate and interact socially. To reduce a child's symptoms of autism, parents try alternative treatments such as specialized diets. In recent years, gluten-free/casein-free diet has grown learn more

Helpful and Useful Links

Websites:

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (F.A.A.N.)

The American Academy of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology

Food Allergy Walk

The Food Allergy Initiative

Articles:

CDC Report on Increase of Food Allergies among American children
In 2007, approximately 3 million children under age 18 years (3.9%) were reported to have a food or digestive allergy in the previous 12 months (Full Story)

CDC: Number of kids with food allergies on the rise
ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- Food allergies in American children seem to be on the rise, now affecting about 3 million kids, according to the first federal study of the problem. (Full Story)

Do You Have a Food Allergy? (Published by F.A.A.N.)
An adverse reaction to a food can be the result of either a food allergy or a food intolerance. Many people think these two terms mean the same thing, but they do not. (Full Story)

Food Allergy Testing: Questions and Answers– (published by F.A.A.N.)
Who should be tested for a food allergy? Testing should be considered when symptoms such as hives, redness of the skin, itchiness, swelling of the lips or eyelids, throat tightens, (Full Story)

Food Allergy Action Plan (published by F.A.A.N.)