With Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 11-17) on the horizon, the International Food Information Council (IFIC) is highlighting new data that underscores the widespread impact of food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities across the US.  

According to the IFIC Spotlight Survey: Americans’ Perceptions of Food Allergens, Intolerances & Sensitivities, more than half of Americans (53%) either have, live with, or know someone affected by a food allergy, intolerance, and/or sensitivity.  

Food allergies alone now impact 6.2% of adults and 5.8% of children in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When factoring in food intolerances and sensitivities—conditions that are more difficult to measure due to inconsistent definitions—the prevalence of Americans affected increases.  

“Food allergies and intolerances are no longer niche health concerns—they affect a significant portion of the population,” said IFIC president and CEO Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN. 

“While the prevalence of food allergy continues to rise, so does awareness. Serving the food allergic consumer has become a more visible part of everyday culture—from servers routinely asking about allergens at restaurants to expanded accommodations in schools and other public settings,” Reinhardt Kapsak added. “Still, there is more work to be done, especially when it comes to providing consistent, clear labeling and empowering people to make safe, informed food choices.”

According to the survey, one in four Americans (24%) say that they or someone in their household has a food allergy (13%), intolerance (8%), and/or sensitivity (9%). Nuts were the most reported allergen, while dairy ranked highest among both intolerances and sensitivities. 

Looking at the broader landscape, the top nine food allergens—often referred to as the "Big Nine"—include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame. In 2023, sesame was officially added to this list and must now be labeled in plain language on all packaged foods sold in the US—a major step forward for transparency and consumer safety.

Despite this progress, food-related medical incidents remain somewhat commonplace. Sixteen percent of Americans say they or a household member have sought medical attention due to a food or beverage reaction. Among those individuals, nuts were the most frequently reported cause (36%), followed by seafood and shellfish (16%), as well as fruits and vegetables (13%). 

Survey takers who say they either have someone in their household (including themselves) or know someone outside of their home who is affected by an allergy, intolerance, and/or sensitivity to food, were asked to rank their top three concerns from a list of potential food-related issues. Forty-two percent (42%) selected “unclear labeling information on packaged foods and beverages” in their top three, making it the highest concern overall. The concerns most frequently ranked first were: “someone having a reaction to food that you prepared” (14%), “accidental exposure in public settings” (14%), “unclear labeling information on packaged foods and beverages” (13%), and “eating away from home at a restaurant” (12%)—all concerns related to the need for clear and accurate information.  

“The survey took a deep dive into how Americans interact with allergen information on food and beverage packaging—with revealing results,” said IFIC Senior Director of Research & Consumer Insights, Kris Sollid, RD.  

While 70% of those affected by food allergies, intolerances, and/or sensitivities say they are aware of food allergy label information, only 16% always use it when making food choices. Of those who use this information, just 34% said they have a high level of understanding, while nearly half reported only a medium understanding. And perhaps most telling of all: when asked if they trust allergen labeling, 67% said yes—yet that leaves a third of consumers unsure or unconvinced. 

“Labeling is a lifeline for those managing food allergies and intolerances, but it only works if it is clear, accurate, and widely understood,” added Sollid. “This is why Food Allergy Awareness Week is so important—it helps amplify conversations around food safety and health equity for those affected individuals and their loved ones.” 

As the prevalence of food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities continues to rise, the need for responsive public health strategies becomes increasingly clear.