[The national survey of immediate type of food allergy]

The actual conditions regarding immediate type food allergy have not been fully understood. Appropriate countermeasures have not been taken so far. The objective of our research is to identify the actual conditions of immediate type food allergy in Japan for the purpose of contributing to future practices.

We conducted a survey on the patients in collaboration with 2689 domestic hospitals which have pediatrics and more than 100 beds. We focused on these cases who presented with symptoms of allergy within 60 minutes of the intake of any offending food.

60.4% of collaborators returned the questionnaire. We investigated 1420 cases in 498 hospitals. Average age of cases was 6.7+/-13.1 (Mean+/-SD). Ages not more than 8 years-old comprised 80.1% of the whole population. The most common offending foods were eggs, milk products, wheat, buckwheat, fish and fruits. In addition, offending foods varied depending on age. The clinical symptoms appeared at 24.2 minutes+/-19.4 minutes (Mean+/-SD) after the intake of offending foods. The most common clinical symptom was observed on the skin and respiratory organs.

Based on the results of this study, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare amended the ministerial ordinance concerning the allergy food labeling system. Five major offending foods (eggs, milk, wheat, buckwheat, and peanuts) were designated as ingredients to be specified on the label.