Pollen Food Syndrome (also known as Oral Allergy Syndrome) is one of the most common — yet frequently misunderstood — food-related allergic conditions.

In this episode of Hope & Histamine, we unpack why people with hay fever or pollen allergy can experience itching, tingling, or swelling of the lips, mouth, and throat after eating certain fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

We explain:

• What Pollen Food Syndrome is and how it differs from true IgE-mediated food allergy
• The role of pollen–food cross-reactivity (birch, grass, and weed pollens)
• Common trigger foods and why symptoms often occur with raw but not cooked foods
• Typical symptoms, red flags, and when to seek specialist advice
• Practical, evidence-based tips for everyday management and reassurance for families

This episode is designed for patients, parents, and healthcare professionals, using clear language, real-world examples, and clinically accurate guidance to reduce anxiety and support informed decision-making.

Sources:

1. Al-Shaikhly, T. et al. (2024) ‘An International Delphi Consensus on the Management of Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee’, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 12(12), pp. 3242–3249.
2. Edwards, S.E. and Halton, F.F. (n.d.) ‘Pollen food syndrome’, pp. 1–6.
3. Eigenmann, P. and Ebisawa, M. (2022) ‘Editorial comments on: “Food allergy in early childhood increases the risk of pollen food allergy syndrome”’, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, [e-journal]. Available at: 10.1111/pai.13788.
4. Haidar, L. et al. (2025) ‘Pollen–Food Allergy Syndrome: Allergens, Clinical Insights, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges’, Applied Sciences, 15(1), 66.
5. Hamada, M. et al. (2025) ‘Evaluation of the incidence of systemic symptoms in PR-10-related pollen-food allergy syndrome in Western Japan’, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 36, e70104.
6. Kim, M. et al. (2019) ‘Clinical Manifestations and Risk Factors of Anaphylaxis in Pollen–Food Allergy Syndrome’, Yonsei Medical Journal, 60(10), pp. 960–968.
7. Mastrorilli, C. et al. (2016) ‘Endotypes of pollen-food syndrome in children with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: a molecular classification’, Allergy, 71, pp. 1181–1191.
8. Skypala, I.J. et al. (2022) ‘BSACI guideline for the diagnosis and management of pollen food syndrome in the UK’, Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 52(9), pp. 1018–1034.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations

Send us a text

Support the show

Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2025).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Can babies eat blueberries as one of their first solid foods? When should blueberries be introduced during weaning and complementary feeding? Are blueberries safe, nutritious, and allergy-friendly for infants?

In this episode, we explore the role of blueberries as an early complementary food for babies starting solids. Drawing on evidence-based infant nutrition guidance, this episode breaks down when and how to introduce blueberries, their nutritional benefits (including fibre, antioxidants, and vitamins), and practical preparation tips to reduce the risk of choking.

We also discuss food allergy considerations, including why blueberries are considered a low-allergen food, how they fit into early dietary diversity, and what parents should watch for when introducing new foods.

Whether you’re starting solids at around 6 months, navigating first tastes, or supporting a child with eczema or food allergy risk, this episode offers calm, trustworthy, and practical advice to help families introduce foods with confidence.

🎙️ Listen now and learn how blueberries can be a simple, nutritious, and baby-friendly first food.

Sources:

1. Glime, G.N.E., Matzeller, K.L., Frank, D.N., Kotter, C., Kofonow, J.M., Robertson, C.E., Venter, C., Campbell, W.W., Krebs, N.F. and Tang, M. (2025) ‘Introducing blueberry powder as one of the first complementary foods changes the gut microbiota composition and diversity in U.S. human milk-fed infants: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial’, Frontiers in Nutrition, 12, p. 1623521. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1623521.
2. Venter, C., Boden, S., Pickett-Nairne, K., O’Mahony, L., Glime, G.N.E., Matzeller, K.L., Frank, D.N., Kotter, C., Kofonow, J.M., Robertson, C.E., Campbell, W.W., Krebs, N.F. and Tang, M. (2025) ‘Blueberry Consumption in Early Life and Its Effects on Allergy, Immune Biomarkers, and Their Association with the Gut Microbiome’, Nutrients, 17(17), p. 2795. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172795.

🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube Podcasts.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations

Send us a text

Support the show

Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2025).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.

Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) — those familiar phrases like “may contain nuts” or “made in a factory that handles milk” — is meant to keep people with food allergies safe. But does it always help? Or can it create confusion and unnecessary fear?

In this episode, we unpack the world of precautionary allergen labels and what they really mean for families living with food allergies. We explore how PAL is regulated, why companies use it, and the challenges it brings for parents trying to make safe food choices for their children.

We also discuss:

• Why do different products use PAL inconsistently
• The real risk behind cross-contamination
• How parents and clinicians can interpret PAL more confidently
• The future of food allergen labelling and more transparent communication

Whether you’re a parent, healthcare professional, or someone living with allergies, this episode provides trusted, practical insights to help you make more informed decisions about the food on your plate.

Sources:

1. Dubois, A.E.J., Turner, P.J., Hourihane, J., Ballmer-Weber, B., Beyer, K., Chan, C.-H., Gowland, M.H., O’Hagan, S., Regent, L., Remington, B., Schnadt, S., Stroheker, T. and Crevel, R.W.R. (2018) ‘How does dose impact on the severity of food-induced allergic reactions, and can this improve risk assessment for allergenic foods? Report from an ILSI Europe Food Allergy Task Force Expert Group and Workshop’, Allergy, 00, pp. 1–10,.
2. DunnGalvin, et al. (2019) ‘Evidence‐based approaches to the application of precautionary allergen labelling: Report from two iFAAM workshops’, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 49, pp. 1191–1200,.
3. Graham, F., Benhamou, A.H., Liu, Y.J., Caubet, J.-C. and Eigenmann, P.A. (2023) ‘Real‐life evaluation of tolerance to foods with precautionary allergen labeling in children with IgE- mediated food allergy’, Allergy,,. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15821.

🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and YouTube Podcasts.

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast and on this website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition. Please don't ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on content from this podcast or website.

Buy me a coffee: https://coff.ee/goodlifecreations

Send us a text

Support the show

Brought to you by - Goodlife Creations (2025).

Music by - Denys Kyshchuk from Pixabay.