Prevalence of food allergy and perceptions on food allergen labeling in school foodservice among Korean students

Abstract

Purpose: Prevalence of food allergy and perceptions on food allergen labeling in school foodservice among elementary, middle, and high school students were investigated in Korea. Methods: A total of 1,000 elementary, middle, and high schools were selected in 16 cities and provinces of Korea and students attending the schools were surveyed using a questionnaire modified from the Korean International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire in July 2012. Responses from 27,679 students were used for data analysis. Results:The ratio of the students who had experienced food allergy was 12.6%; 7.6% of the responding students had food allergy reactions last 12 months and 6.8% of the students had been diagnosed for food allergy by doctors. Eggs, milk, peach, and crabs were the most frequent allergenic foods for the elementary school 1st graders, 5th graders, middle, and high school students, respectively, who had experienced food allergy last 12 months. The students with food allergy read menus more frequently and were more interest in food allergen labeling in school foodservice than their counterparts. Both of the student groups with and without food allergy perceived food allergen labeling important for the students with food allergy and their parents. Conclusion:The prevalence of food allergy and major allergenic foods varied by school years. The Korean students had positive perception on allergic food labeling in school foodservice. An effective food allergen labeling system for school foodservice should be developed and implemented that reflects prevalence, symptoms, and food allergens among Korean students. (Allergy Asthma Respir Dis 2013;1:227-234)

Food allergy knowledge, perception of food allergy labeling, and level of dietary practice: A comparison between children with and without food allergy experience

“…In the section on knowledge of food allergies, questions were based on the "Food Allergy Training and Foodservice Management Manual", as recommended by the Food Safety Enforcement Team in Seoul [ 20 ] and cited by previous studies [ 5 , 18 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Ten questions covered: definition of food allergy, substance causing food allergies, diseases similar to a food allergy, nutrition responding to food allergy, reminders of allergic disorders when consuming food allergic sources, a disease name that indicates a serious allergic symptom, types of food provoking allergy after consumption of wheat, foods to avoid in preventing a tomato allergy, substitute food item to prevent a milk allergy, and problems caused by restriction of allergy provoking foods during growth and development.…”

“…In the section on perception of food allergy labeling, students were surveyed to understand how well they recognize food allergy information on a school menu designed after the labeling law took effect in 2013 [ 5 , 13 ]. Four levels of agreement were offered: 'Easy to understand for students', 'satisfied with information', 'information is necessary' and 'easy to figure out' were asked [ 18 , 21 , 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Food allergy is an adverse immune response reaction to food and estimated to affect nearly 3-8% of children in America [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. In Korea, the prevalence of food allergy in children aged 6-12 years was estimated at 10.9% in 1995, 8.9% in 2000 and 12.6% in 2012, according to a survey from the Korean version of International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) [ 4 , 5 ]. In 2005, a survey of children living in Seoul showed that 11.7% experienced a food-related allergic reaction more than once [ 6 ].…”

“…A survey of 993 children aged 18 and younger who visited 7 hospitals in the Seoul and Gyeonggi area showed that eggs, cow's milk and dairy products, peach, shrimp, pork, peanuts and tree nuts were common allergenic foods [ 11 ]. Lee et al [ 5 ] studied the prevalence of food allergies and perception of food allergen labeling in school foodservice for 27,679 students at 1,000 elementary, middle and high schools in Korea. Approximately 12.6% of students showed food-related allergies, and 6.8% of respondents had been diagnosed with food allergies by a doctor.…”

“…A series of nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire surveys of Korean children in 1995, 2000 and 2010 showed that the prevalence of food allergies in children has increased [ 4 , 5 ]. The Ministry of Education implemented a mandatory 'school lunch food allergen labeling system' in 2012 that requires disclosure of allergenic food ingredients in school meals and developed 'the manual for school lunch food allergen labeling' [ 12 , 13 ].…”