It's hard to plan a balanced menu for kids because they are usually picky eaters. The task can sometime be overwhelming if you have a child with a food allergy.
According to the FDA, allergic reactions to food occur in millions of Americans every year. Some of the reactions are mild and show minor symptoms. On the other hand, some reaction are very severe and could be life threatening.
There aren't any cures for food allergies. The foods must simply be avoided. To make it harder to accidentally serve a dangerous food to your sensitive child, all foods that are approved by the FDA must follow FALCPA, Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004.
Although more than 160 different foods can cause allergic reactions, 90% are caused by only eight foods. Milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans are the major culprits.
In many cases, processed food that are contaminated by protein derived from a food allergen can cause a reaction. Make sure that you read labels carefully.
