Millions of Americans Actually Don't Have a Food Allergy, Says Study A survey of 40,000 Americans was conducted between October of 2015 and September of 2016. It found that 19% of those surveyed reported that they had a food allergy. Only 10.8% reported actual symptoms consistent with an actual food allergic reaction. True food allergies are when the immune system has a fast and specific overreaction to a particular food. Lactose intolerance and celiac disease are common examples of these. Researchers think that those surveyed were probably confusing a food intolerance with an actual food allergy. Study authors warn against making a self-diagnosis. Ruchi Gupta, lead study author, via Gizmodo
