A recently published study has reported that only around half of a group of 419 patients referred to an allergy clinic for suspected food allergy were found to actually have IgE-mediated food allergy.  Of the group with confirmed allergies, almost half (24.3% of the total patient group) had previously experienced food-induced anaphylaxis. The patients who did not have confirmed IgE-mediated food allergy were thought to have experienced a non-allergic type of food reaction.

The authors concluded that comprehensive allergological evaluation is vital to avoid excessive concern and needless dietary restriction about a nonexistent food allergy or the inadequate attention to a genuine food allergy, including anaphylaxis. 

The full paper can be downloaded here <link to www.aerzteblatt.de/v4/archiv/pdf.asp?id=61998>