Allergy and intolerance

Food allergy now affects 1 in 10 infants and about 2 in 100 adults in Australia. Australia has one of the highest allergy rates in the world and can be genetic. Food intolerance is even more common. Surveys indicate that up to 25% of the population believe they have a food intolerance.

The high rate of food allergies and intolerances is a concern, as currently there is no cure for food allergies.The only successful method of managing a food allergy or intolerance is to avoid the foods containing that allergen or food component.

Food allergy and intolerance are both types of food sensitivity which can cause illness. A food allergy causes the immune system to react to a particular food with immediate symptoms, such as itchiness, rash and swelling. Sometimes a reaction can be so severe that it can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Food intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system. Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to a particular food. The symptoms can be unpleasant and in some cases severe, but are generally not life-threatening.

If you think you have a food allergy or intolerance, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a qualified medical practitioner. Don’t cut food groups out of your diet without medical advice as you could miss out on important nutrients. Your GP should be able to provide you with advice and support.

People with a food allergy experience an uncommon immune reaction to a food that is harmless to others. Antibodies are produced in the body to fight the protein in the food (the allergen) so when eaten, histamine and other defensive chemicals are released into the body causing inflammation. It is these chemicals that trigger reactions which can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin or cardiovascular system.

If you suspect a food has caused a reaction, Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia advises you should avoid that food, talk with your doctor and have it investigated.

Food allergy symptoms (mild to moderate)

• swelling of the lips, face and/or eyes
• hives or welts
• tingling mouth
• abdominal pain,  
• vomiting (signs of an insect allergy)

Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

A severe food allergy can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis affects the whole body, often within minutes of eating the food. Signs of anaphylaxis include:

• difficult or noisy breathing
• swelling of the tongue
• swelling or tightness in the throat
• wheeze or persistent cough
• difficulty talking or hoarse voice
• persistent dizziness or collapse
• pale and floppy (young children).

It is important to watch for any one of the signs of anaphylaxis.  

Anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment with an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (such as EpiPen®, Anapen®). 

People with a food intolerance will experience an adverse reaction to certain food components that does not involve the immune system.

Food intolerance symptoms

• stomach pain
• bloating and flatulence
• diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• headaches and migraines
• rashes, hives
• recurrent mouth ulcers
• generally feeling under the weather.

Most common food intolerances

There are many types of food people can have an intolerance to, the most common include; milk and lactose (the sugar in milk), gluten, wheat, food preservatives and naturally occurring compounds in foods such as caffeine.

Lactose intolerance is caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase, which is used to ensure lactose is absorbed properly into the bloodstream from the stomach.

Milk intolerance is common in children under the age of two years - if left untreated it can result in malnutrition.

Food additive intolerance only affects a small number of children and adults. The additives most commonly linked to food intolerance are artificial colours, for example tartrazine, sulphites and other types of preservatives (benzoates).

Sulphite reactions cause asthma, rashes, irritable bowel syndrome and headaches in sensitive people. Sulphites are a preservative commonly found in wine and dried fruit. Added sulphites must be declared on all packaged products if added in concentrations of 10mg/kg or more. The additive numbers for Sulphites are 220-228. If these numbers appear in the ingredient list sulphates have been added to the product. 

Coeliac disease is a disorder of the small bowel caused by an immune reaction to dietary gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley and rye). It is not a food allergy but an auto-immune disease. In coeliac disease, the lining of the bowel is damaged by the white blood cells of the immune system and not by antibodies (as in food allergic reactions). Symptoms include nausea, wind, tiredness, constipation, reduced growth and skin problems.

If you have a food allergy or intolerance or shop for someone who does, it’s important to check the label on any pre-packed food you buy.

The most common food allergens must be declared on a food label. If the food does not require a label, information about the most common allergens must be displayed next to the food or provided if requested by a customer.

There are new rules for labelling the most common allergens. The changes to the Food Standards Code will help people find allergen information on food labels more quickly and easily, so they can make informed and safe food choices.

There is a transition period so you may notice some inconsistency in how allergens are labelled until 26 February 2026. Before then, allergens may appear on labels in one of two ways, using the old or new system.

The table below lists the most common allergens that must be declared under the old and new rules.

Allergens are not always easy to find on a label and other words may be used.

For example, a milk product may be referred to as 'casein', 'hydrolysed whey' or 'lacto acidophilus'.

Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia has Food allergen cards that list ingredients you should avoid if you are allergic to egg, milk (dairy), peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacea, mollusc, soy, sesame, wheat and lupin.

Most common allergens under the old rules

• crustaceans
• eggs
• fish
• cow's milk
• peanuts
• soybeans
• tree nuts
• sesame seeds
• gluten
• lupin
• wheat
• sulphites (when added in concentrations of 10 mg/kg or more)

These allergens are usually declared on a label in one of the formats below:

Most common allergens under the new rules

'May contain' warnings

Remember:

• Check the ingredients every time you buy a product – the recipe might have changed since last purchase.
• Consumers in NSW are legally entitled to ask for information about the allergen content of foods for sale that are not pre-packed or labelled.

Some food labels may also have a warning to show the food product may contain foods people are commonly allergic to, eg.‘may contain traces of nuts’ or ‘may contain seeds’. This means that even if nuts or seeds aren’t deliberately included as ingredients in the food, the manufacturer cannot be sure the food doesn’t accidentally contain small amounts of the allergen.

If you are allergic to any of the foods mentioned in ‘May contain’ warnings, you should avoid these food products.

Tip: You can call food manufacturers and ask about ingredients or manufacturing processes if unsure about a product.

Foods not pre-packed or not labelled

Foods that aren’t pre-packed or labelled include those sold from:

• bakeries
• butchers
• deli counters
• salad bars
• foods weighed and sold loose.

It also includes meals served in:

• restaurants
• takeaways
• other eating out venues.

It’s possible that this type of food could contain small amounts of allergens in the ingredients. The allergen may have also been introduced to these products due to contact with another food, knife or spoon, or from being wrapped in a bag that has touched another food containing an allergen.

If you have a severe food allergy, you should always disclose your allergy clearly, ask about ingredients and never make presumptions about food content. You should always have your emergency medication with you.

Warning Statements

All warning statements must be clearly visible on packaging.  

Products containing Royal Jelly must have a warning statement on the label.

Separate statements must also visible for the following ingredients:

• Aspartame – ‘contains phenylalanine’
• Added caffeine in cola drinks – ‘contains caffeine’
• Guarana – ‘contains caffeine’
• Quinine – ‘contains quinine’
• Unpasteurised egg and milk products – ‘unpasteurised’

What you should do if you think a food has been incorrectly labelled

If you think a food has been incorrectly labelled, or an allergen has not been properly declared on packaged food, call us on 1300 552 406.

The NSW Food Authority has powers under the Food Act and the Food Standards Code to investigate labelling complaints and take action against food businesses breaking the law.

Eating a meal from a restaurant, café or takeaway can be a stressful experience if you have a food allergy or intolerance. When food is prepared by someone else you can’t be absolutely sure that it won’t contain allergens. There are however some guidelines to make eating out safer and more simple.

Strategies to help manage food allergy and intolerance include:

• Plan ahead.
• Educate those around you.
• Always read the food label, even if the product has been eaten safely before.
• If there is no label and you can't access clear information on food content, do not eat the food.

Tell the restaurant

• When you book a table, tell the person taking the booking about your food allergy or intolerance and ask them to check with the chef that they can provide you with a meal that doesn’t contain the food you are allergic to.
• On arrival, make sure the waiter knows about your food allergy.

Ask about the dishes

• Read the menu carefully to see if there is any mention of the food you are allergic to in the name or description of the dish
• Always ask the waiter – food allergens are not always stated on menus
• Give staff your order and ask them to check with the chef that the dish does not contain the food you need to avoid. Speak to the chef personally if you can
• If the staff can’t answer your questions or don’t seem certain, it’s better to order something else or eat elsewhere.

Ask about cross contamination

• Ask staff if your food will be prepared with equipment and utensils that are separate to those used for foods containing the allergen, to avoid cross contamination
• Don’t assume because you ate a dish safely in one restaurant that it will be made the same way the next time or in a different restaurant.

Avoid self-service areas

• If you have a severe allergy, it’s best to avoid eating food from a self-service area or buffet. It’s easy for small amounts of allergenic ingredients to get into food accidentally, (eg. people might use the same spoons for different dishes) so even if it looks safe, you can’t be sure.

Take your Epipen®

• If you have a severe allergy, don’t eat out without your Epipen^®

The NSW Food Authority works to ensure that you get accurate information about the food you buy and that the food you eat is safe.

The Food Authority enforces the Food Act 2003 and the Food Standards Code, which requires all food businesses in NSW to provide information about the most common allergens in their food by either:

• Declaring allergens on the label (usually in the ingredient list)
• Displaying information about allergens next to food on sale (if it’s not packaged)
• Providing information about food allergens in food if requested by a customer.

If you find a food business that doesn’t provide information or if an allergen is found in food that was not declared or you were specifically told did not contain that allergen, the business may be breaking the law. Contact us and report it.

The Food Authority will investigate suspected breaches, penalise noncompliance and can recall food to protect public health.

Food allergies can be life threatening, which is why systems are used to protect allergic consumers from food allergens. See Managing Food Allergen Risk for a one page overview.