Allergen Detectives

Food allergies are adverse immune responses to food proteins. An estimated 9 million adults and 6 million children in the United States have food allergies. Eight foods—peanut, milk, egg, wheat, tree nuts, soy, fish, and shellfish—account for 90% of all food allergies. In addition, approximately one in 133 consumers in the United States suffers from celiac disease. Their consumption of gluten, found in wheat, barley, and rye, triggers the production of antibodies that damage the smal…