Food allergies are a big problem in the U.S., affecting over 20 million people in this country alone! When talking about food allergies, it’s usually a well-known list of common food allergy culprits, known as the Big 9 – milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and the most recently added, sesame. These foods are responsible for up to 90% of all food allergy reactions in the U.S. In the EU, cereals containing gluten, milk products, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulfur dioxide/sulfites, lupins, and mollusks are added to the most common food allergens list. However, there are many more food items that can cause allergic reactions in both adults and children beyond those named above. To find out more about the not-so-common food allergens, we took it to the (internet) streets, looking to user forums for input from real people about their uncommon food allergies. Here’s what we found.
List of Uncommon Food Allergens
According to our research using Reddit, a popular forum site with millions of active users, these are food allergens that are rare but still occur:
- Apples
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cinnamon
- Citrus Fruits (including lemons, grapefruits, oranges, and limes)
- Cocoa beans
- Coconut
- Coffee
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Flaxseed
- Garlic
- Gelatin
- Grapes
- Honey
- Kiwi
- Lamb
- Legumes (beans and peas other than lupin)
- Lettuce
- Malt
- Mango
- Melons
- Mint
- Mushrooms
- Nightshades (including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, tomatillos and peppers)
- Nitrates/Nitrites (often used in highly processed meats like hot dogs)
- Pork
- Pineapple
- Pumpkin
- Red Meat
- Rice
- Strawberries
- Sugar
- Sunflower
- Turkey
- Vanilla
- Xanthan Gum
Get Help With Food Allergies in Tampa Bay
Even though just a few foods are responsible for the vast majority of food-related allergies, this list should make it clear that any food can cause allergies to erupt. This is why it’s always important to stay vigilant about any food sensitivities or intolerances, especially in children. If you’re in Tampa Bay and need help navigating food allergies for yourself or someone you care for, AllergyTampa.com is here to help. We have two convenient Tampa locations to serve you, helping you live your best life while also managing your food allergies like a pro. To schedule an appointment with our expert team, give us a call at 813-971-9743 today.
