Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food, triggered by the body’s immune system. During a food allergy reaction, the immune system identifies a specific food as a foreign substance. The body then produces allergy antibodies (IgE) to attack the food identified as foreign. The response may be mild, or in rare cases it can be associated with the severe and life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
A food allergy can be potentially fatal.
As many as 15 million Americans have a food allergy, including approximately 6 million children.
Board-certified allergists are the only physicians with specialized training in food allergy.