PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF FOOD ALLERGY

Background: Although studies that rise the double-blind placebo-contro lled food challenge suggest that the prevalence of food allergy is abo ut 2%, public belief in food allergy appears to be considerably higher . Objective: The study was undertaken to deter-mine the magnitude and features of the American public's belief in food allergy by surveying a large, demographically balanced population. Methods: A simple questi on about food allergy was incorporated into a broad, self-reported, ma iled consumer questionnaire. Five thousand demographically representat ive American households were surveyed by means of quota sample in 1989 , 1992 and 1993. Results: The response rates were 79%, 75%, and 74%, r espectively. Of responding households, 16.2%, 16.6%, and 13.9%, respec tively reported an average of 1.17 household members with food allergy . Individuals reported to be allergic to foods were more likely to be female particularly adult women. Male individuals with reported food a llergy tended to be young, whereas no such skew was noted among female subjects. Geographic differences were observed in reported food aller gy, with the highest rate in the Pacific region. Milk and chocolate we re the individual foods most frequently implicated in food allergy. Tr ends were consistent over the period studied. Conclusions: Perceived f ood allergy is widespread and persistent. The characteristics and demo graphic patterns of this belief are not reflective of known food aller gy epidemiology derived from studies in which the double-blind placebo -controlled food challenge is used.