A Belfast mum knows only too well how important it is to be fully aware of any allergies and conditions given the severity of the condition for her eight-year-old son. Niamh Kennedy with son Fionn A British family was left devastated last month when their 14-year-old daughter died after going into anaphylactic shock while on holiday in Rome following a meal in a local pizzeria. Anaphylaxis is a very serious condition and while studies suggest that up to 25% of caregivers believe their children have a food allergy, in some instances these are in fact intolerances.
And while true rates of anaphylaxis are unknown as it is poorly recognised, official figures show that only 1% of adults and 5% of children across the UK and Northern Ireland, have a serious food allergy or anaphylaxis..