May 28, 2024
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month, a time dedicated to learning more about food allergies and how to keep those with food allergies safe. Millions of Americans live with food allergies and may experience adverse reactions—most reactions cause mild symptoms, but some are severe and may even be life-threating.
About 90 percent of allergic food reactions are caused by nine foods, and allergic reaction symptoms include the following:
Major food allergens
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crustacean shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybeans
- Sesame
Possible symptoms of food allergies
- Hives
- Flushed skin or rash
- Tingling/itchy sensation in the mouth
- Face, tongue or lip swelling
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Coughing or wheezing
- Swelling of the throat and vocal cords
Reading ingredient labels is the best way to avoid foods that may contain allergens. For example, some processed meat and poultry products (e.g., hot dogs, chicken nuggets and canned soup) may be formulated with known allergenic ingredients, such as nonfat dry milk or hydrolyzed wheat protein.
If you have a known food allergy and start having symptoms of an allergic reaction:
- Stop eating the food immediately
- Evaluate the need for emergency treatment, such as epinephrine (Epi-pen)
- Seek medical attention
El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) partners with and supports our county Retail Food Establishments (RFE) to help protect consumers from possible food allergy situations. Managers and kitchen staff are encouraged to be familiar with types of food allergens, how to properly answer guests’ questions, prevent cross-contamination and know what to do if an allergic reaction occurs.
The State of Colorado Board of Health recently adopted the 2022 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code which changes the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Regulations. RFEs are now required to know the top nine food allergens and are required to have a written request on menus to inform the waitstaff or facility of allergen concerns. The facility is then required to inform the customer of the nine allergens present as ingredients in menu items.
EPCPH staff are working through these code changes with the more than 2,800 establishments in the county by providing guidance, education and time to comply with these new requirements.