There is an increased awareness of the effects of food allergens. In some people the effects may cause mild to more serious discomfort, but for other people the effects can even be life-threatening. Food allergens typically affect skin, digestive track or respiratory system. Symptoms can be a rash, eczema, diarrhoea, cramps or other discomforts like headache.

Respiratory problems can include swelling of the tongue and throat, or in bad cases, asphyxiation. The effects can appear almost immediately or take up to three days to show, making it very difficult to track the culprit food substance.

Food allergies are also not always recognized or diagnosed correctly, but even when diagnosed, life with food allergies can be very complicated.