Significant progress has been made in research on food allergies, and much new knowledge has been accumulating. For clinical diagnosis, antigen-specific IgE antibodies*1 are often measured, but an accurate diagnosis can be made only by taking a detailed history and performing oral food challenge test*2. In cases where an individual has eczema or atopic dermatitis, it is necessary to improve the skin condition before the oral food challenge test is performed, so skincare guidance*3 should be provided. Unfortunately, a significant number of facilities are unaware of such a proper diagnosis process or are unable to perform it.

Another issue is the belief that an individual with a food allergy must avoid the offending food completely. It is now believed that eliminating to the minimum necessary amount of the offending foods based on an accurate diagnosis, and that consuming a small amount of those foods within a safe range, can help prevent a critical reaction if such foods are consumed, or make those food allergies tolerable in the future. In addition, food allergy labeling is convenient for those who have food allergies, but can lead to the misunderstanding among consumers that selecting foods that do not contain specified allergen ingredients for infants can prevent the onset of allergies. The latest research suggests that actively eating such foods during infancy (before the onset of symptoms) may be beneficial.
Based on my long experience, I believe that the most important things are an accurate diagnosis and the dissemination of accurate knowledge. We need to disseminate information regarding accurate diagnoses to healthcare institutions and professionals and convey accurate knowledge to individuals who have allergies, their families, schools, and broadly throughout society.

I appreciate the Group’s development of allergen testing kits, manufacture and sale of allergen-free foods, and various other measures taken over many years. I encourage the Group to make even greater efforts in the future regarding food allergies including the dissemination of information and educational measures.

• Note1: A test method for measuring antigen-specific IgE antibodies (antibodies that cause an immediate allergic reaction).
• Note2: A test whereby a patient consumes foods with suspect allergens to determine if symptoms occur.
• Note3: The fundamentals of skincare are cleansing and moisturizing. For details, refer to the 2016 Guidelines for Management of Atopic Dermatitis or other information sources.