Do you know anyone who is allergic to peanuts, wheat, or another food? Food allergies affect many people and maybe even some of your classmates, friends, and family! When someone has a food allergy, their body behaves differently to certain proteins in food. The change could be mild, such as causing skin to itch or swell. Some people have a stronger reaction, where their throat might swell to make breathing difficult.
People with food allergies can prevent allergic reactions by not eating or touching the foods that cause them. The eight most common food allergens, or the foods that can cause an allergic reaction, are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Any food that contains these ingredients is required to state it on the food label. People can read the Nutrition Facts label to see the complete list of ingredients in a food.
Learn more about food allergies and how to stay safe on Nutrition.gov.