Food allergy - How much of a problem really is this in India?

Food allergy is estimated to affect 1-2 per cent of the whole population, however its prevalence in children is quite high. Food hypersensitivity is an immunological reaction resulting from the ingestion of a food. This reaction occurs only in. some patients when only a minute quantity of the substance is ingested. The reaction could be mild, moderate or severe leading to anaphylaxis and sudden death. IgE mediated reactions account for most of the well-characterized food allergic reactions although non-IgE mediated immune response is also seen occasionally. Although there has been a great concern in western countries about food allergies, in India the prevalence of food allergy although preserved has not been systematically studied. Unfortunately there is not much awareness about food hypersensitivity reaction in India. Indian food is quite complex and it is necessary for a high risk person to know what kind of food he is allergic to. Diagnosis of food allergy is quite lengthy procedure and many times it is not possible to avoid the offending food. There has been a great concern in many countries including India about the adverse reaction to foods, However because of lack of data in food allergy in India it is quite difficult to evaluate the allergenicty of GM food.