Studies suggest that the prevalence of food allergy in children in the UK is now around 5%.The number of children put on restricted diets by their parents because of presumed allergy is likely to be much higher. A recent study in the Isle of Wight found that 33% of mothers thought their child had had an allergic reaction to food by the age of three. Careful documentation using a targeted and thorough history usually makes it possible to distinguish suspected IgE-mediated allergy from non IgE-mediated. Once diagnosed, management requires allergen avoidance guided by a dietician together with education in recognising and treating reactions appropriate to the underlying mechanism. Food allergy is commonly outgrown so regular reassessment is essential both to monitor for tolerance and also to look for development of allergic comorbidities. [With external links to the evidence base]