Recently, one of Clara’s classmates brought a birthday cake to our Mommy and Me class. Watching all the children happily wolf down their sugary surprise, I noticed that Clara’s friend Abby did not partake. When I asked her mother why, she explained that her 19-month-old daughter was allergic to milk and eggs.

“There has been an increase in children having food allergies,” says Doris Rathgeber, doctor for Traditional Chinese medicine, general manager and founder of Body & Soul Medical Clinics. “In China, the extensive use of food additives such as dyes, preservatives, MSG and sulfites increases the number of sufferers even more.”

According to Rathgeber, the most common items that can cause an allergic reaction are milk, eggs, sugar and fish (shellfish). Others include nuts (peanuts), soy, wheat and specific fruits such as strawberries or citrus fruits.

To reduce the risk of a food allergy developing, Rathgeber recommends breastfeeding your child during the first six months, especially if your family has a history of food allergies.

When your baby starts on solids, you should introduce children to specific foods step by step instead of serving complex dishes, she further advises. “It is also essential to introduce children to a wide range of foods so that their bodies can get used to different nutrients,” she counsels. Foods that could trigger allergies should be introduced later.

For parents with allergic children, buying food from reliable sources, especially in China, is a must. As the language barrier might create problems in identifying the ingredients of processed and restaurant foods, self-cooked food is often the safer alternative.

Mia Wang, Abby’s mom, also observes: “Restaurant staff in Shanghai at both Western and Chinese places lack food allergy awareness and sensitivity to diners with food allergies.”

Wang also warns against well-meaning Ayis and neighbors offering snacks to your kids in the playground and elsewhere. “I need to tell everyone with whom Abby comes into contact with about her allergies, including Ayi, driver, family, friends and other Ayis and moms in the playground,” reveals Wang.

Children might feel left out when they cannot eat the same treats as other children. To address this problem, Wang never forgets to bring along some fun, safe munchies for Abby.

The good news is that many kids grow out of their childhood food allergies. Hopefully, one day soon, Clara will get to share a birthday cake with her buddy Abby.

Raising kids in Shanghai? Follow our family’s many adventures on the Family Matters blog.