Allergy Care is Essential Care | World Allergy Week | 21–27 June 2026 | Media Release

The Allergy Foundation of South Africa (AFSA) and Allergy Society of South Africa (ALLSA) are joining global partners and the World Allergy Organisation to observe World Allergy Week, with a message that continues to challenge how allergic disease is understood and treated: “allergy care is essential healthcare, not an optional extra or seasonal concern.”

This year’s global theme, “Allergy Care Is Essential Care,” reflects a reality that is becoming harder to ignore. Allergic diseases are among the most common chronic conditions worldwide, rising steadily in both adults and children and placing increasing pressure on health systems, households, schools and workplaces alike.

Food allergies alone now affect hundreds of millions of people globally, with reactions ranging from mild symptoms to rapid-onset, life-threatening anaphylaxis. Despite this, allergies are still frequently misunderstood, often downplayed and in many cases only fully recognised after a severe reaction.

“Many people still think of allergies as minor or seasonal problems but allergic diseases can significantly impact daily life, school performance, sleep and in some cases can become life threatening,” says Dr Thulja Trikamjee, Executive Board Member and Director of AFSA. 

A growing health issue hiding in plain sight

Allergic conditions rarely present in isolation. Many patients live with overlapping conditions across their lifetime, including asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), eczema, food allergy and anaphylaxis. When these conditions are not correctly diagnosed or properly managed, the consequences can escalate quickly, from chronic inflammation and recurring infections to severe asthma attacks and sudden allergic emergencies requiring immediate intervention.

For patients and families, the impact extends well beyond the medical picture. Allergies shape everyday decision-making: what children can eat at school, how families travel, how workplaces manage risk and how confidently people move through daily life.

When food becomes a medical risk

Recent South African cases continue to underline how quickly allergic reactions can escalate in routine situations. One case involved a consumer experiencing a severe allergic reaction after eating a ready-to-eat sandwich purchased from a supermarket. He required urgent medical treatment, including adrenaline.

This reinforces a simple but often overlooked reality: allergic reactions are not predictable, not gradual and not always avoidable and they are frequently triggered by foods we eat every day. This also brings continued attention to persistent gaps in food labelling clarity, cross-contamination controls and consumer awareness at point of purchase.

Why food labelling matters for allergy safety

Food labelling remains one of the most important, and most inconsistent, tools in preventing allergic reactions.

AFSA is actively engaged in advocacy aimed at improving clarity and accountability across food systems and supply chains, including allergen labelling in packaged foods, transparency around ingredient changes, hidden allergens, consumer reporting of unsafe or unclear food products and broader accountability across production and retail environments.

As part of this work, AFSA has introduced a Food Product Reporting feature that allows consumers to flag concerns or inconsistencies in food labelling and allergen safety: Report a food product concern

The importance of the “right diagnosis”

AFSA is emphasising a critical but often overlooked point: allergic conditions need to be assessed and managed by qualified healthcare professionals. Delays in diagnosis, self-management or misinformation don’t just complicate care, they materially increase risk, particularly in food allergy and asthma where deterioration can be rapid and severe.

Many people still delay seeking care until symptoms become severe, often normalising early warning signs. Medical experts advise seeking professional assessment if there is frequent wheezing or breathing difficulty, persistent or severe eczema, reactions after eating specific foods, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat or sudden dizziness, collapse or breathing difficulty after exposure to a trigger.

Early and accurate diagnosis is positioned by AFSA as a turning point in outcomes.

“When allergies are properly diagnosed and managed, people are far less likely to experience severe reactions,” says Dr Trikamjee. “It means they are not only safer medically but also able to live with greater confidence and stability in their day-to-day lives.”

From awareness to action

AFSA is urging South Africans to rethink how allergic disease is understood, not as a minor inconvenience or lifestyle sensitivity but as a serious, chronic and often unpredictable medical condition that requires structured care, early diagnosis and coordinated support.

From clearer food labelling and stronger consumer protections to more consistent medical pathways and better public understanding, the organisation says progress depends on action across healthcare, industry and regulation, not awareness alone.

“Because when allergies are taken seriously and managed correctly, the impact is immediate and measurable: fewer emergencies, better outcomes and lives that are not defined by risk,” concludes Dr Trikamjee. 

Throughout World Allergy Week, AFSA is focusing on closing the gap between awareness and practical management through education and access. AFSA’s patient focused Allergy Education Workshops are interactive 1.5 hour sessions hosted on Zoom.  The workshops include specialist presentations followed by a dedicated 30-minute Q&A session where patients and caregivers can bring their questions directly to the specialists.

In addition, AFSA’s livestreaming events are 1 hour educational and awareness sessions streamed via social media and the AFSA website, making trusted allergy information accessible to a wider audience. 

Please see our website and social media pages for links to media articles and interviews.

https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za