Vegetables

Display of various vegetables, carrots, onions, cabbage, tomato and beets.
Fresh Vegetables

Vegetables represent a large and diverse group of foodstuffs which provide important nutrients. Allergic reactions to many different vegetables have been reported, but celery, specifically celeriac (celery root) is a particularly problematic food. Symptoms of vegetable allergy are often mild and observed in the oral cavity with itching of the oral mucosa, swelling of lips, tongue and throat. Occasionally skin, respiratory and more severe symptoms are reported.

Celery is commonly used as a spice in processed foods (e.g. soups, broths, salad dressings) but is also consumed as a vegetable. Interestingly, a high prevalence of celery allergy is observed in regions where celery is commonly consumed as a raw vegetable (e.g. Germany, Switzerland and France) and is often associated with pollen allergy. Allergic reactions to celery range from mild local reactions in the oral cavity to severe systemic responses. Celery allergens have been shown to be largely heat and processing resistant and thus sensitized individuals need to avoid any celery containing product.

According to the EU Labeling Directive 2003/89/EG and Codex Alimentarius allergen labeling recommendation for pre-packaged food all products containing celery should be labeled as such.

There are a number of other vegetables for which allergies have been described including asparagus, avocado, bell pepper, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, potato, pumpkin, turnip and zucchini.

For more detailed information on these foods please follow the links:

Whole asparagus.
Asparagus

Asparagus

Whole and sliced ripe avocado.
Avocado

Avocado

Red, yellow and green bell peppers.
Bell Pepper

Bell Pepper

Sliced cabbages.
Cabbage

Cabbage

Carrots with green tops.
Carrot

Carrot

Stalks of celery.
Celery

Celery

Red and green lettuce.
Lettuce

Lettuce

Potatos.
Potato

Potato

Orange Pumpkin.
Pumpkin

Pumpkin

Turnips with green tops.
Turnip

Turnip

Whole and sliced zucchini.
Zucchini, Courgette

Zucchini, Courgette

Updated 10 March, 2014