Food Allergy
Food allergy is most commonly triggered by egg, cow's milk (dairy), peanut, tree nuts, sesame, soy, wheat, fish and other seafood, although almost any food can cause an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions to foods range from mild to severe (anaphylaxis), which needs immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine).
Allergy tests (skin prick testing or blood tests for allergen specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are used to confirm food allergy triggers. A medically supervised food allergen challenge can also be performed to confirm or exclude food allergy.
Dietary avoidance for food allergy should only be carried out under medical and dietitian supervision, to ensure adequate nutrition, growth and development.
Health Professional Information
Food Allergy e-training
ASCIA Food Allergy e-training for health professionals
Food Allergy - General
ASCIA Guide - Milk Substitutes in Cow’s Milk (Dairy) Allergy
ASCIA Guide - Introduction of Peanut to Infants with Severe Eczema and/or Food Allergy
ASCIA Dietary Guides for Food Allergy
ASCIA Guidelines - Vaccination of the Egg Allergic Individual
ASCIA Position Statement - Packaged Foods for Infants that Contain Most of the Common Food Allergens
ASCIA Information - Lupin Allergy
Food Allergy and Intolerance Menu Assessment Tool Available only to ASCIA members
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)
ASCIA Position Paper - OIT for Food Allergy
References - OIT for Food Allergy
Food Allergen Challenges
ASCIA Position Paper - Food Allergen Challenges
ASCIA Consent Form - Food Allergen Challenges
ASCIA Food Allergen Challenge Protocols (available to ASCIA members only)
References - Food Allergen Challenges
Further Information
Webpage updated April 2025