Based on the studies analyzed, this systematic review did not identify a significant association between vitamin D status and food allergy. Interpretation of the included studies was limited by a lack of a standard definition for vitamin D deficiency and insufficient knowledge regarding the optimal vitamin D status needed to impact immune function. Longitudinal studies are warranted to assess if vitamin D might contribute to the development of food allergy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and temporal trends of food allergies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a historical cohort study to describe the epidemiology of food allergies among residents of all ages in Olmsted County, Minnesota, during a 10-year period from January 2, 2002, through December 31, 2011, using the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Overall incidence and trends in biannual incidence rates over time were evaluated. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, 578 new cases of food allergies were diagnosed. The average annual incidence rate was significantly higher among males compared to females (4.1 [95% CI 3.6, 4.5] versus 3.0 [95% CI 2.7, 3.4] per 10,000 person-years; 3.6 overall). The pediatric incidence rate of food allergy increased from 7.0 (95% CI 6.2, 8.9) to 13.3 (95% CI 10.9, 15.7) per 10,000 between the 2002-2003 and 2006-2007 calendar periods and then stabilized at 12.5 and 12.1 in the last two calendar periods. Milk, peanut and seafood were the most common allergen in infancy, in children between ages 1-<5 years, and in the adult population, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is one of the first population-based studies to examine the temporal trends of food allergies. The incidence of food allergies increased markedly between 2002 and 2009, with stabilization afterwards. Additional longitudinal studies are warranted to assess for epidemiologic evidence of changes in food allergy incidence with changing recommendations for allergenic food introduction.

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