Food allergy: practical approach on education and accidental exposure prevention.
Food allergies are a growing problem and currently the primary treatment of food allergy is avoidance of culprit foods. However, given the lack of information and education and also the ubiquitous nature of allergens, accidental exposures to food allergens are not uncommon. The fear of potential fatal reactions and the need of a proper avoidance leads in most of the cases to the limitation of leisure and social activities. This review aims to be a practical approach on education and accidental exposure prevention regarding activities like shopping, eating out, and travelling. The recommendations are focused especially on proper reading of food labels and the management of the disease, namely in restaurants and airplanes, concerning cross-contact and communication with other stakeholders. The implementation of effective tools is essential to manage food allergy outside home, avoid serious allergic reactions and minimize the disease's impact on individuals' quality of life.
Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal. E-mail: inespadua@fcna.up.pt.
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Pádua
ISPUP-EPIUnit University of Porto, Portugal. Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal.
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Moreira
Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal. ISPUP-EPIUnit University of Porto, Portugal. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, University of Porto, Portugal.
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Moreira
Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
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Barros
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003296:Cooking; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005515:Food Labeling; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012147:Restaurants; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014195:Travel
D000485:Allergens
accidental exposure; allergen avoidance; cross-contact; food allergy; food labelling