The deaths are caused by individuals accidentally eating a food containing an ingredient to which they are allergic. Anaphylaxis is a sudden, severe allergic reaction involving major organs in the body simultaneously. In severely allergic individuals it can cause death in a matter of minutes. Children are the largest group affected by food allergies. Researchers estimate six to seven million Americans have food allergies.
Symptoms can include hives, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, and swelling of the throat.
Eight foods cause 90 percent of food allergy reaction. These foods are shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, nuts, peanuts, soy, and wheat. Eating in restaurants and schools presents the highest risk situations for people with food allergies. Often people serving foods are not aware of what ingredients were used in the preparation of the food they are serving and are unprepared to handle an allergic reaction.