Riverside, California (NAPSI) - While the number of children with food allergies is on the rise according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 8 percent of children under the age of 18 in the United States have a food allergy food allergies can be managed appropriately.

“A food allergy reaction can be serious,” explains Steven Yannicelli, Ph.D., R.D. “In severe cases, children may experience life-threatening side effects, such as anaphylactic shock. Other symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting, can have negative effects on a child’s health and well-being.”

One concern that has been raised is that when the DNA of a certain plant is genetically modified, it may increase its risk of interacting with immunoglobulin E (IgE), which plays a key role in certain food allergies. Although not fully established by the medical community, there is a concern, based on two reports in The New England Journal of Medicine and Trends Biotechnology, that certain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may increase risk of allergenicity in some individuals.

Foods containing genetically modified ingredients from GMOs are very common. Based on a report by the American Medical Association, about 70 percent of processed foods sold in theU.S.contain ingredients derived from these transgenic crops.

For babies and children with food allergies on an amino acid−based diet, there is a non-GMO product available. You may care to talk to your pediatrician about switching to a Neocate product. Neocate Infant is a non-GMO infant formula that contains DHA and ARA, nutrients found in breast milk. DHA and ARA help promote brain and eye development in your baby.

“Nutricia provides a choice for families who prefer a non-GMO hypoallergenic product,” says Yannicelli. None of the company’s products contains genetically modified ingredients.

Nutricia North America, the maker of Neocate, is a global health company that leads the development and use of advanced medical nutrition for specialized care. Its products and services transform the daily lives of millions of infants, children, adults and seniors.

For more information on nutrition for children with food allergies, visit www.neocate.com.