What does AFAA mean in FOOD & NUTRITION

Allergic reactions are caused by your body’s immune system overreacting to a specific environmental allergen. If you experience any of the symptoms associated with allergies such as skin rashes or hives, difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, nasal blockage or congestion, itchy and watery eyes, or a swollen throat or tongue, you should consult your doctor for an allergy test to determine whether you are allergic to any particular allergen.

Anaphylaxis is a very serious condition and managing it requires prompt recognition and treatment. The most important step in managing anaphylaxis is having access to epinephrine auto-injectors (also known as EpiPens) and training family members and other caregivers on how to use them in the event of an emergency. It is also crucial that individuals at risk of anaphylactic shock wear an emergency medical alert bracelet or necklace at all times so that they may be quickly identified in an emergency situation.

Food allergies can be caused by any food but they are most commonly triggered by peanuts, tree nuts like walnuts and almonds, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk and soy products. It’s important to note that there are many other foods which may also trigger food allergies; those listed above are just the most common triggers.

Yes! Allergens don’t just come from food; some people may be allergic to things normally present in our environment such as pollen (hay fever), pet dander (animal fur), dust mites or mold spores. People can also suffer from contact dermatitis due to harsh chemicals found in some skincare products or detergents used for washing clothes.

The best way to determine whether someone has a food allergy is for them to have an allergy test conducted by their doctor or healthcare provider. This will help identify which foods they are specifically sensitive or allergic to so that appropriate precautions can be taken when preparing meals at home or eating out at restaurants.

When dining out with someone who has a food allergy it's important that they let the server know about their allergy before ordering so that the kitchen staff can take extra precautions when preparing their meal such as changing gloves and using clean utensils/equipment when handling their order. You should also ask questions about ingredients used in dishes before ordering them so that your friend’s meal does not contain anything which could trigger their reaction.

If you suspect your child has a serious food allergy then it's important that you take them for testing right away so that proper precautions may be taken moving forward. Your doctor will usually conduct skin prick tests on your child using small amounts of different allergens which will indicate whether they do indeed have an allergy.

Anaphylaxis is a serious condition which must be taken seriously; as such there have several lifestyle changes which must typically made including avoiding exposure to whatever it is which causes the reaction whenever possible and having access 2-3 epinephrine auto injectors (EpiPens) available at all times in case of emergencies.

Yes! There are numerous organizations around the country dedicated specifically assisting individuals living with severe allergies through providing education, information resources and advocacy services ranging from support groups for patients themselves and their families/caregivers/friends as well as programs targeted towards health care providers.

Absolutely! Pets often bring home pollens on their fur which can trigger indoor allergies especially during peak seasons such as springtime when outdoor pollen levels tend to be higher than usual. To prevent this make sure your pet is brushed regularly and kept clean.

Yes! The Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires manufacturers whose products contain any “major eight” allergens (milk, eggs fish crustacean shellfish tree nuts wheat peanuts soybeans) list these clearly on product labels in plain language; this includes ingredient lists, warnings labels etc.