Food allergy is a rapidly growing problem in countries around the world. About one person in every ten is allergic to one or more foods, and many go on to suffer a serious, potentially life-threatening reaction to those foods which cannot be predicted or prevented. Fatalities are fortunately rare, but food allergy sufferers live in constant fear of an accidental encounter with the food(s) to which they are allergic.

Normally, our immune system does not react to foods when we are exposed to them. However, in people that suffer from food allergy, the immune system recognises certain foods as potentially dangerous which triggers an immune response.  This response can lead to a range of symptoms, from mild itchiness, rash, gastrointestinal upset, swelling of the airways and critically low blood pressure through to life-threatening anaphylaxis.