Which of the following are common food allergens?

Which of the following are common food allergens?

• A. Salt and sugar
• B. Water and air
• C. Peanuts and dairy
• D. Caffeine and alcohol

Answer: (C)

Common food allergens are foods that often trigger immune reactions in sensitive people. Peanuts and dairy are two of the most well-known ones because they contain proteins that frequently provoke an IgE-mediated response. Peanut proteins are highly allergenic and can cause reactions with very small amounts, sometimes severe. Dairy allergy targets proteins like casein and whey, especially in young children, leading to immune reactions to milk and dairy products. Salt and sugar aren’t proteins and don’t typically cause immune-based allergies. Water and air aren’t foods, so they aren’t allergens in this sense. Caffeine and alcohol can bother some people (through intolerance or sensitivity), but they aren’t among the common foods that trigger classic food allergies.

Common food allergens are foods that often trigger immune reactions in sensitive people. Peanuts and dairy are two of the most well-known ones because they contain proteins that frequently provoke an IgE-mediated response. Peanut proteins are highly allergenic and can cause reactions with very small amounts, sometimes severe. Dairy allergy targets proteins like casein and whey, especially in young children, leading to immune reactions to milk and dairy products.

Salt and sugar aren’t proteins and don’t typically cause immune-based allergies. Water and air aren’t foods, so they aren’t allergens in this sense. Caffeine and alcohol can bother some people (through intolerance or sensitivity), but they aren’t among the common foods that trigger classic food allergies.