Food challenge test

A food challenge test is performed to determine which food may cause a food allergy and the amount of food it takes to trigger the allergic reaction. Foods that commonly trigger food allergies include nuts (peanuts), shellfish, eggs, milk, wheat, and soy. In complex cases, the food challenge test may be administered as a hidden or double blind placebo test. During a hidden food challenge the suspected food is hidden in another food, such as ice cream or chocolate pudding, so that it cannot be tasted. This can be helpful for children who might reject the suspected food. During a double blind placebo controlled food challenge test, neither you nor the doctor know if the suspected food is included in the food being eaten. Once the food challenge is done your doctor will discuss the results with you and make recommendations regarding food avoidance and other measures. Your doctor may ask you to bring in a specific food for the food challenge. Please bring the food the morning of the test. If your child is having a food challenge, you may also be asked to bring a favorite food in which to place the food to be challenged.