Adverse reactions to food in adults

This study was carried out to assess the occurrence of food hypersensitivity (type I) in adults. The diagnosis of food allergy, based on suggestive history and positive skin prick test and/or RAST, was established in 30 (0.98%) of 3034 patients over 14 years of age who were attended between June 1992 and March 1993. The foods implicated were as follows: fruit (46.8%), dried fruits (19.1%), seafood (14.9%), vegetables (12.8%), fish (4.2%) and chicken eggs (2.1%). This study confirmed the low occurrence of food allergy in adulthood. The differences found with regard to the sensitizing foods (cow's milk and eggs were infrequent; fruit, seafood and vegetables were common) may be attributed to dietary habits in our geographical region.