21 May Food Allergy Week | Be aware. Show you care.

BE AWARE. SHOW YOU CARE.

During Food Allergy Week, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) is calling on all Australians to unite to help increase awareness and share information on what we can do to improve safety for people who live with food allergies.

Food allergies are not a dislike of food.

They are not a food intolerance.

A food allergy is when the immune system reacts to a food (allergen) resulting in symptoms.

Allergic reactions to foods range from mild to severe. Mild to moderate symptoms of food allergy include swelling of face, lips and/or eyes, hives or welts on the skin, stomach (abdominal) pain and vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) affect breathing and the heart, and can therefore can be life-threatening.

Australia has the highest incidence of food allergy in the world, with Melbourne being considered the global hotspot for food allergy.

It is estimated that 650,000 Australians are living with a diagnosed food allergy.

Common food allergens include cows milk protein (dairy), egg, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, wheat and lupin. Only very small amounts are required to cause an allergic reaction.

Allergic reactions are everyone’s responsibility to manage.

Throughout Food Allergy Week, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia are encouraging all individuals working in food services venues to complete the free online food allergen management training: All About Allergens – available at https://foodallergytraining.org.au

Diagnosis and management of food allergens needs to be undertaken under medical advice from your GP.

Dietary avoidance for food allergy should only be undertaken under medical and dietitian supervision, to prevent risk of malnutrition and other complications such as food aversion.

If you have been diagnosed with a food allergy, our Accredited Practising Dietitian, Emily at Timboon and District Healthcare Service can assist you to ensure that you are still meeting a nutritionally adequate diet. Please call 5558 6000 to make a dietitian appointment.

Emily Boyle, Accredited Practising Dietitian

Timboon and District Healthcare Service

For more information on how you can get involved with Food Allergy Week 2021 please visit: https://allergyfacts.org.au/faw