If you have allergies, you know exactly what we’re talking about. The Big Eight refers to the eight most allergenic foods. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, these foods comprise 90 percent of all food allergies in the United States.
There are even laws that regulate labeling these foods. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Congress passed the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Act of 2004 (FALCPA) to help Americans with allergies navigate food products safely. FALCPA applies to any food with FDA-regulated labeling, including both domestic and imported foods.
Before this law was passed, identifying these ingredients was more difficult. However, the current law requires that any label must tell readers the food source names that are either derived from or contain a protein derived from these eight common food allergens. This helps those affected to avoid these foods, ultimately saving lives.
So just what are the big eight? Here’s the list.
1. Milk
According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, milk allergies are common -- especially in infants. Two to 6 percent of children in the early childhood range are said to have milk allergies, but by age six, 90 percent of kids most likely have outgrown it.
Experts say that allergies to milk happen when the immune system reacts to a protein found in milk products. Consequently, symptoms can include gastrointestinal issues and issues involving the skin and airways. This is said to occur most often within an hour of consuming dairy.