Food Intolerance vs Food Allergy: US Burden and Role of IgE

Food allergies can cause severe immune reactions, including anaphylaxis. Each year, it is estimated that food allergy reactions result in 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 150 deaths in the US.¹

Adverse reactions to food can be broken down into two distinct categories: food allergies and food intolerances.² The majority of food reactions come from food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, and sensitivity to some pharmacological substances like caffeine. These reactions can manifest as a GI problem like abdominal pain or diarrhea.^2,3

Food allergies, however, are distinct from food intolerances. Unlike food intolerances, IgE-mediated food allergies can be life-threatening.³ Food allergy is a pathological reaction of the immune system that can be mediated by IgE, non-IgE, or mixed immune reactions.

IgE-mediated food allergy is predominant.^2,4 It occurs when the body develops antibodies to a food, which then triggers the release of histamine and other proinflammatory mediators from mast cells. Reactions are typically rapid, occurring within minutes or hours, and symptoms may include itching, swelling, hives, trouble breathing, and anaphylaxis.³

Food Allergy Burden Is Often Exacerbated by Social Determinants of Health

Persons of non-Hispanic Black descent are more likely to be diagnosed with a food allergy than are non-Hispanic Whites and Asians. In addition, data suggest that patients of lower socioeconomic status tend to experience suboptimal treatment.⁴ Patients from lower-income families spend 2.5 times more on emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and 21% of these families are food insecure.⁵

Download IgE Mediated Food Allergy Infographic to learn more.