food allergen awareness training
TRANSCRIPT
Food Allergen Awareness
Trainingby Kelly Mott
Happy Holidays!
As we enter a time of celebration and sharing, be aware
that those around you might be one of the millions of
Americans that have a food allergy.
What Are Allergens?
An allergy is a reaction of the immune system to a normally harmless element. These include, but are not limited to: Food proteins Substances
Latex Plants (poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac, nettles) Fragrance (perfumes, contents in lotions and detergents) Metals Rubber
Aeroallergens Dust Mites Pollen Mold
Stinging Insects Drugs
What Are Food
Allergens? While more than 160 foods can cause allergic
reactions in people with food allergies, the law identifies the eight most common allergenic foods. Milk Eggs Fish (e.g. bass, flounder, cod) Crustacean shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster, shrimp) Tree nuts (e.g. almonds, walnuts, pecans) Peanuts Wheat Soybeans
Food Allergen Awareness at
Work and Home Although most food allergies cause relatively mild and minor
symptoms, some food allergies can cause severe reactions, and may even be life-threatening.
There is no cure for food allergies. Strict avoidance of food allergens – and early recognition and management of allergic reactions to food – are important measures to prevent serious health consequences.
To help Americans avoid the health risks posed by food allergens, Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA).
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm079311.htm
What Are the Symptoms of
an Allergic Reaction? Hives Flushed skin or rash Tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth Face, tongue, or lip swelling Vomiting and/or diarrhea Abdominal cramps Coughing or wheezing Dizziness and/or lightheadedness Swelling of the throat and vocal cords Difficulty breathing Loss of consciousness
What to do if symptoms occurAdminister treatment immediately if the victim has
medication (such as an Epi-pen)Seek medical treatment immediately! In severe cases, call
911
Severe Allergic Reactions-
Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis
Constricted airways in the lungs Severe lowering of blood pressure and shock
(“anaphylactic shock”) Suffocation by swelling of the throat
Each year in the U.S., it is estimated that anaphylaxis to food results in: 30,000 emergency room visits 2,000 hospitalizations 150 deaths
Food Sensitivities
Many people have difficulty digesting certain foods.Food sensitivity/intolerance is not life threatening, but can cause sufferers a great deal of discomfort.
Common Types of Food
Sensitivities Lactose Intolerance
The body can not easily digest lactose, a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. This is not the same as a food allergy to milk. It can cause gas, belly pain, and bloating. Some people who are lactose intolerant can eat or drink small amounts of milk or dairy products, and others cannot digest milk products at all.
Celiac Disease A digestive and autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the
lining of the small intestine when foods with gluten are eaten. The damage makes it hard for the body to absorb nutrients from food. Gluten is a type of protein found in the grains wheat, barley, rye, and triticale (a wheat-rye cross).
Common Types of Food
Sensitivities Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis happens when pouches form in the wall of the colon and become inflamed or infected. People who have diverticulitis are advised not consume nuts, corn, popcorn, and fruits with seeds like strawberries and tomatoes. It was believed these foods would get stuck in the diverticula and cause inflammation, but new research is showing this may not be the case. If you or a family member have been diagnosed with diverticulitis, talk to your family doctor about what dietary choices are right for you.
Ways to Keep Others With
Food Allergies Safe Keep your carry-in dish or menu at home for
gatherings free of allergens Tell everyone at the meal if a dish contains
and allergen Don’t prepare anything “exotic”. Keep the
menu simple with familiar food items Label items that contain allergens. There are
many products available as well as creative ideas on websites like Pinterest for labeling buffet foods!
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday
Season!Thank You