A new study has revealed that nine in ten people with a food allergy or intolerance don’t actually have a problem and are perfectly healthy.

Researchers from Portsmouth University found a discrepancy in studies about the prevalence of food allergies and blame the internet, self-testing kits and celebrity food fads for creating an epidemic of make-believe problems.

Studies show that of around ten million adults who claim to have an allergy or intolerance to foods such as milk, only two per cent actually have a problem.

Food allergies are caused by an over-reaction of the immune system while intolerances, while similar, have less severe symptoms.

As a result of the latest study, millions of people could be unnecessarily restricting their diet and removing essential nutrients from their meals.

Other people may be suffering a medical problem that is left untreated because it is being associated with a food source that is not the actual cause.

Dr Carina Venter, who headed the study, said: ‘Our concern is that people are self-diagnosing allergies which is very unreliable and could even mask a different illness which would remain undiagnosed and untreated.’

‘When you feel ill, it is almost a natural reaction to try and link it with what you have eaten.

‘But anyone who thinks they have symptoms related to a food needs to go to see their GP who may refer them to an allergy testing centre or dietician.

‘Children are more prone to nutritional problems when foods are excluded from diet, so it’s critical that they receive a correct diagnosis.’

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