Children experiencing ‘bizarre’ reactions to exotic food

YOUNG children are now experiencing allergic reactions to organic and exotic foods that would have appeared ‘bizarre’ to previous generations, a top Irish academic told members of the House of Lords.

Professor Jonathan Hourihane, head of paediatrics and child health at Cork University Hospital (CUH), said some exotic foods like kiwi or peanuts had become common foods for young children and doctors were seeing allergic reactions to them.

It is also thought that the increase in children’s allergies may be linked with foods being introduced at an early age.