Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - July/August 2024 - 31

REFERENCES
Scan QR code to view the list of
resources for this article.
#4 Tree Nuts: About 3.9 million
Americans have been diagnosed with
a tree nut allergy. Tree nuts are just
that-nuts that grow on trees. The top
six tree nuts that cause food allergies
are almonds, cashews, hazelnuts,
pecans, pistachios, and walnuts.
Although tree nut allergies typically
present in childhood, less than 10
percent of people go on to outgrow
the allergy. It is typically a lifelong
condition (American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology,
2021). If one is allergic to one type
of tree nut, there is an increased
likelihood that the person will be
allergic to other tree nuts (FARE,
" Tree Nut " ). There are numerous
names for tree nuts; to find them,
consult the References provided
in the QR code with this article.
Remember, nuts can be found in a
variety of products that are not often
thought about, like flavored coffee,
hand lotions, hand soaps, and oils.
TICK.
#3 Peanuts: Approximately 6.1
million Americans have been
diagnosed with a peanut allergy.
Peanuts are a legume and not a true
'nut' as they grow under the ground
and not on a tree. Instead, they are
related to beans, peas, lentils, and
soybeans. Interestingly, about 40
percent of children with a tree nut
allergy also have a peanut allergy.
Like tree nuts, there are many names
for peanuts and they can be in a
variety of products that one might
not suspect, so checking the food
labels is important. Alternative nut
butters-like soy butter or sunbutter
-are sometimes produced on shared
equipment that makes peanut butter,
so again label-reading is key. Other
names may include arachis oil, peanut
oil, beer nuts, ground nuts, lupin or
lupine, mixed nuts, nut meat or meal,
peanut flour, and monkey nuts (FARE,
" Peanut " ).
TICK.
#2 Milk: Roughly 6.1 million
Americans have been diagnosed with
a milk allergy. Milk allergy is the most
common food allergy in childhood;
however, most kids will outgrow the
allergy. In many cases their physician
may recommend avoiding milk from
IF MILK IS BAKED INTO A
PRODUCT,
about 70 percent of those
who react to fresh milk will
not react to baked milk.
#1 Shellfish: Approximately 8.2
million Americans have been
diagnosed with a shellfish allergy.
There are two distinct types of
shellfish: crustacea and mollusks.
Crustacea include foods like shrimp,
crab, lobster, and crawfish. Crustacea
causes the most food allergic reactions.
Shrimp is the most common allergen
in this category. Mollusks (also known
as bivalves) like clams, mussels,
oysters, octopus, squid, snails, and
scallops are also considered
shellfish and can cause allergic
reactions. Many people who are
allergic to one group of shellfish
will also be allergic to other types.
As mentioned with finned fish, it is
crucial to remember that there is
a much larger risk of cross-contact
between fish and shellfish, since
they are often packed and processed
with each other (FARE, " Shellfish " ).
TICK.
other mammals too. If milk is baked
into a product, about 70 percent of
those who react to fresh milk will not
react to baked milk. Baked milk is
milk that has been heated to a high
temperature that causes the protein
in it to degrade. Other names include
butter, buttermilk, casein, casein
hydrolysate, caseinates, cheese,
cottage cheese, cream, curds, whey,
ghee, lactoferrin, lactoglobulin,
lactalbumin, lactose, and many others
(FARE, " Milk " ).
TICK.
In the discussion of the 'Big 9' food
allergens outlined above, please
note that these examples are just an
overview and are not an exhaustive
list of foods or ingredients for
common names of the foods. It is best
to use the Food Allergy Research &
Education website for a comprehensive
listing of each allergen. Find the link
here: https://www.foodallergy.org/
living-food-allergies/food-allergyessentials/common-allergens
REALIGNMENT
#6 :
Food Ingredient Labels
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act requires that manufacturers of
packaged foods in the United States
must disclose major food allergens
in 'simple-to-understand' language.
The law is met if the common name
of the food is included in the name
NUTRITION & F OOD SER VICE EDGE | JULY-AUGUST 2024 31
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