Fruit and veg allergies soaring

Don't forget to eat your "healthy" fruits and vegetables.

"Cases of oral allergies to fruit and vegetables are rapidly increasing, according to a British specialist.

Dr Pamela Ewan, an allergy consultant at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, said the rise in cases appears to be outstripping even peanut allergies.

Dr Ewan, who sees more than 8,000 people with allergies a year, said most patients with reactions to fruit and vegetables were youngsters.

Symptoms include swelling in the mouth and throat, and breathing difficulties.

She said: 'We have seen a big rise in the number of cases in the past four to five years.

'It is a bit like the peanut allergy was the epidemic of the 1990s. I think fruit and vegetables are becoming the epidemic now.

'In term of numbers, fruit and vegetables are the new form of peanut allergy.'

Dr Ewan urges parents to take the problem seriously...

'But now we are seeing people who are getting really severe throat closure, a significant swelling at the back of the throat which can impede breathing.'...

Other specialist centres in the UK have confirmed to the BBC that allergies to fruit and vegetables is a growing problem."

Still think they have any idea of what a "healthy" food is?