A food allergy is an immune system reaction to a protein in a particular food that is consumed. Within a few minutes of ingestion, symptoms such as, skin irritations, swelling, and difficulty with breathing can occur. Food allergies are most common in children and toddlers, and it is possible that they may grow out of allergies to dairy, wheat, eggs and soy. Allergies to seafood, peanuts, and tree-nuts are usually long-term.

The Top 8 Food Allergens are:

• Dairy
• Eggs
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Wheat
• Peanuts
• Tree-nuts
• Soy

Other food allergies include sesame seed, poppy seed, corn, MSG, sulfites, and animal derived ingredients (these are ingredients that contain amounts of either meat, fish, dairy, or any 'parts" from any animal, and the food label uses a variety of terms to describe these ingredients without a clear precise description).