New Initiative Seeks to Boost Food Allergy Awareness

Credit: Adobe Stock/Юля Шевцова

Food allergy prevalence has been increasing over the past 20 years, with one in 13 children diagnosed with life-threatening allergies. FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), in partnership with Genentech and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, has launched an educational initiative to increase public awareness of food allergies and their impact on families.

“While food allergies are common, there remains a significant lack of public awareness and understanding of the seriousness, unpredictability and emotional toll of accidental exposures,” said Ashley Magargee, chief executive officer at Genentech. “FARE is a trailblazer in the food allergy community, and we are excited to partner with them on a broad public awareness initiative with the goal of creating a future where people with food allergies are better understood, protected and empowered.”

Food allergies happen due to the immune system’s reaction to particular proteins in food and can be caused by any food. Approximately four in 10 people with a food allergy are allergic to more than one food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the most common allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame. Reactions can range from mild to severe, with symptoms including hives, swelling, trouble breathing, itching in the mouth, abdominal pain and, in certain cases, anaphylaxis. As there is currently no cure for food allergies, avoidance is the only prevention measure.

With thousands of patients requiring medical attention each year due to allergen exposure, the need for public education is critical.

According to FARE’s nationwide survey of 500 parents of children with food allergies conducted in November 2023, 82% believe there is not enough awareness in their communities. The initiative aims to address the misunderstanding, emotional toll and safety concerns associated with food allergies, which affect 33 million people in the United States.

Key findings of the survey include the following:

• 78% of parents said their child experienced an accidental exposure to an allergen in the past year. More than half of these children needed to go to the emergency room.
• 74% said their concern fluctuates throughout the year, with spikes during Halloween and winter holidays.
• More than half of parents reported a lack of confidence in others’ abilities to ensure allergen avoidance.
• 74% said their child opted out of an activity — such as a birthday party or sleepover — for fear of allergen exposure.
• 58% felt their child’s allergy was dismissed by others, including schools and daycare centers, restaurants and even family members.

Another crucial element of the impact of food allergies revolved around the emotional burden these children and families face. Nearly all (93%) parents surveyed said they experienced fear and anxiety related to food allergies and 54% reported that their child developed a fear of trying new things and experienced negative social impacts due to their allergies.

“It is clear the community still has significant unmet needs when it comes to relieving some of the emotional and physical challenges of this disease,” said Reshema Kemps-Polanco, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Novartis US. “This is a pivotal moment for the community as we work to increase awareness and offer hope to those living with food allergies, but there is still so much more we can achieve together.”