A new website for fruit allergy sufferers has been set up to spread information about fruit allergies, healthy fruits and recent research in development of allergy-friendly fruit alternatives.
The website, www.warwick.ac.uk/go/fruitallergy, has been created as part of the EU-funded ISAFRUIT project, which started in 2006.
Around four per cent of the European population are allergic to one or more fruits and fruit allergies subsequently provide a barrier to achieving their 5 A DAY intake.
There are three main types of fruit allergy and depending on the fruit allergy type, different allergy-friendly fruits are available. By visiting the ‘Fruit and Allergy’ website, allergy sufferers can find out which type of fruit allergy they have by taking a short questionnaire and thereby get direct access to information that is relevant for them.
They can also learn about how complex fruit allergies are, how fruit intake can be increased in a safe and healthy way and the research strategies currently being used to develop allergy-friendly fruit. A debate forum provides an opportunity to discuss topics related to fruit allergy and future research. In addition, sufferers can question researchers directly.
The Fruit and Allergy website provides links to websites with supplemental information on fruit allergy and is therefore a good starting point for fruit allergy sufferers, regardless of their specific information needs.
