[Foods as allergy inducers]

Small children are usually sensitized through the gastrointestinal tract to chemically stable food proteins such as milk, eggs, fish and soy. In adults, however, food allergy is mostly mediated by a primary inhalatory sensitization and because of IgE-crossreactivity by a secondary allergy to food allergens. Thus, in adults a completely different pattern of predominant food allergens is encountered. The leading food allergens are fruits and vegetable as a consequence of pollen associated food allergy. This article summarizes clinically relevant information about the most important food allergens. Furthermore the issue of hidden food allergens is stressed.