Consumer Health Minute: Food Allergies

Posted by Carolyn Martin on December 8th, 2025 Posted in: Consumer Health, Consumer Health Minute
Tags: food allergies, Holidays

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The holidays are often filled with food, and lots of it. Friends and families gather to celebrate. Whether you’re hosting or attending, these events can be fun and appetizing but not so appetizing for those who have food allergies. In fact, it can be very dangerous. People can be allergic to a variety of food including diary products (e.g. butter), shellfish (e.g. shrimp), and even spices like cinnamon.

How to host or attend a food-friendly event? First, learn more about food allergies. Knowing how to prepare food safely can be a big step to hosting or sharing food and drinks. A good place to start is with MedlinePlus. MedlinePlus has several links to help you learn more about food allergies including:

• Food Allergy
• Celiac Disease
• Lactose Intolerance

Food Prep and Recipes

Knowing how food preparation tips and finding recipes specific to food allergies take a look at these links:

Preventing Cross-Contact at Home (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)

Steps for a Safe Kitchen (Food Allergy Research and Education)

Cooking & Baking with Food Allergies (American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

Allergy-friendly recipes (Food Allergy Canada)

Recipes Feasting With FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education)

Holiday Allergy-Free Recipes (American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)

During the Holidays

Additionally, here are a few websites with more information to help you provide a food-friendly environment during the holidays and all year long.

Food allergies and the holidays (Michigan State University)

Holidays with Food Allergies (Allergy Asthma Network) includes video and transcript

8 Tips for Allergy-Free Holidays (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)