Celery allergy

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Celery is one of the most common foods to cause oral allergy syndrome in adults in countries such as Switzerland, France and Germany. (See the section on fruit and vegetable allergy for more on oral allergy syndrome.)

Allergy to celeriac (the celery root) is more common than to celery (the stalks of the plant), but both can sometimes cause severe reactions. Symptoms vary from mild ones, such as oral allergy syndrome, to anaphylactic shock. Some reports suggest that celery spice is as likely to cause a reaction in sensitive people as raw celery.

Since November 2005, food labelling rules require pre-packed food sold in the UK, and the rest of the European Union, to show clearly on the label if it contains celery (or if one of its ingredients contains it). Bear in mind that there could still be foods on the shelves that were produced before this date.

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