Food Allergies:
Not a Global Reality

Explore the varying global awareness of severe food allergies. Understand why some countries have lower prevalence and why locals might not recognize allergic emergencies. This insight prepares travelers with tips on exercising extra caution, patiently educating others, and bridging understanding gaps to stay safe in less allergy-aware regions.

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Have you ever found yourself in a foreign country, struggling to communicate your severe food allergies and feeling misunderstood or thinking “what do they not get” ? You might wonder if there’s a different word for the food allergen or if you’re pronouncing it incorrectly. Could it be food allergies are not a reality in the country?

Did you ever stop to consider that perhaps food allergies are not common in the country or perhaps it is rare for a native from the country to be allergic to your food allergen? The old adage, “it takes one to know one,” rings true in the realm of food allergies. A person who has never experienced the limitations and anxieties of food allergies might struggle to fully comprehend the challenges faced by those who do.

The prevalence and types of food allergies vary widely by region, influenced by genetics, dietary habits, and environmental factors. In countries where food allergies are uncommon, it can be challenging for natives to fully grasp the seriousness and risks associated with such allergies. The global distribution of food allergies could be a factor in your failure to communicate

For example, in parts of Asia, where peanut and tree nut allergies are far less prevalent than in Western countries, individuals may lack firsthand experience or knowledge of the life-threatening reactions food allergies can cause, such as anaphylaxis.

Without malice people might misunderstand or downplay the severity of allergies, treating them as preferences rather than medical conditions. This can lead to risky behaviors, such as unintentionally exposing someone with an allergy to a harmful substance. For example, in social settings, locals may fail to consider cross-contamination or hidden allergens, assuming that small amounts won’t cause harm. In restaurants or food preparation environments, there may also be less vigilance regarding allergen labeling and safe handling practices. Making it a challenge to explain your condition and overcome skepticism.

To effectively communicate your food allergies and ensure your safety while traveling, it’s essential to understand the local context. Research the country’s food labeling laws and regulations to gain insights into allergen labeling practices and common allergens

Some highlights of the article “How Different Parts of the World Provide New Insights Into Food Allergy” by Elizabeth Huiwen Tham and Donald Y.M. Leung

Some Countries Have Less Awareness:

• Some Asian countries, particularly outside Japan, tend to have lower awareness of peanut allergies
• For instance, countries such as Thailand have a lower prevalence of food allergies (1% in children under five), and there is less emphasis on peanut allergies, a common ingredient in their food

Food allergies are almost non-existent or very low in prevalence in some countries:

• Greece: The prevalence of cow’s milk allergy was 0% in some studies. Similarly, the incidence of egg allergy was as low as 0.07%, making food allergies extremely rare 
• Thailand: Food allergy prevalence in children under five is also very low, at 1%, especially compared to other regions like Australia and the UK
• Italy: The incidence of cow’s milk allergy was very low, at just 0.3% 

Prevalent food allergies by country or region:

• Other Parts of Asia: Peanut allergies are rare in most of Asia, excluding Japan. In countries like China, Thailand, and Korea, peanut allergies are much less common compared to Western regions
  

• United States: Peanuts, milk, and eggs. Prevalence of peanut allergy:
• United Kingdom: Peanuts, milk, and eggs.
• Australia: Peanuts, eggs, and milk.
  • Peanut allergy is significant in children. About 10% of Australian preschoolers have food allergies
• Korea: Walnuts, buckwheat, wheat, milk, and eggs.
  • Prevalence: Around 5.3% of Korean infants have food allergies, with buckwheat and wheat allergies common among adolescents​
• Japan: Wheat, milk, eggs, and peanuts.
  • Peanut allergy is more common compared to other Asian countries​
• Thailand: Wheat, milk, eggs, and shellfish.
  • Prevalence of food allergies in children under five is relatively low at 1%
• South Africa: Peanuts, milk, and eggs
• Singapore and the Philippines: Peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.
• Greece: Very low egg and milk allergy rates
• Scandinavia and Central Europe (Sweden, Finland, Denmark): Peanuts, hazelnuts, and kiwifruit.
• China and Hong Kong: Shellfish, wheat, eggs, and milk.
  • Shellfish allergy is predominant in both adolescents and adults