Food allergy ‘explosion’ poses risk to vegans and vegetarians, say experts

Raw fruit and vegetables contain unstable pollen antibodies that can trigger an allergic reaction. Photograph: fcafotodigital/Getty Images

An “explosion” in a food allergy poses a particular risk to vegans and vegetarians, one of Britain’s leading experts has warned.

Cases of pollen food syndrome (PFS) have risen markedly in recent years as a result of global heating, worsening pollution and changes in pollen patterns, Dr Isabel Skypala said.