Food allergens are typically naturally-occurring proteins in foods or derivatives of them that cause abnormal immune responses. Prevalence of food allergies around the world is believed to be increasing, with more than 8% of children and 2% of adults in countries like Australia and New Zealand having allergy to one or more foods. Allergic reactions to foods vary greatly from mild gastrointestinal discomfort, to skin rashes and potentially life threatening asthma and anaphylaxis. Commonly many adverse reactions to food are referred to collectively as food allergies. However, true food allergies represent only a fraction of the diverse range of individualistic adverse reactions to foods, that also include food intolerances. (Source: Allergenbureau.net)
