People can develop an allergy to almost any food. However, there are eight foods that are most likely to cause an allergic reaction. The foods that account for 90 percent of all allergic reactions in the United States are:

  • Milk and dairy products
  • Eggs
  • Wheat
  • Soybeans and soy products (tofu, soymilk)
  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts (walnuts, pine nuts, pecans, hazel nuts, brazil nuts etc.)
  • Fish (Flounder, salmon, halibut, trout, etc.)
  • Shellfish (oysters, crab, shrimp, lobster, etc.)

The most dangerous of these foods are:

  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts
  • Shellfish
  • Eggs
  • Milk

Food manufacturers, restaurants, caterers and other food service providers should be aware that many people are allergic to these foods. Food products must be labeled properly so that any allergens can be easily identified. Restaurants must make accommodations for those who are allergic to these ingredients. Food service providers can be held liable for allergic reactions that are the result of a mislabeled a food product, failure to disclose ingredients, or negligently serving a food allergen to someone who has warned he is allergic to that food.

It is important to know that these eight foods are not the only foods that can cause the dangerous allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. People can also have very serious allergies to other foods such as tomatoes, mango, citrus fruit, corn, mustard, garlic, onion, strawberries, sesame, sunflower seeds, and canola. An Illinois food allergy death can result from anaphylaxis. If you have a severe food allergy, you must let waiters and other food staff know in advance about your allergy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, food allergies cause 30,000 cases of anaphylaxis each year. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious allergic reaction because of the negligence of a restaurant, food preparer, or food manufacturer, please call Hupy and Abraham at 800-800-5678. Out Rockford personal injury attorneys will let you know if you have an Illinois allergy injury claim.

Jason F. Abraham
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Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.