Almond
IgE antibodies to almond proteins.
Why it matters
Almond is a tree nut; tree nuts are among the 14 major allergens on UK labels.
Allergy Food Panel
UK Partnered Clinics
£449.00
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Allergy Food Panel
£449.00
Price is for one test. No subscription.
The Chxhealth Allergy Food Panel is a blood test for suspected immediate (Type I) food allergy. It measures IgE antibodies to 31 foods, including peanut, tree nuts, milk, egg, wheat, soya, sesame, fish, shellfish, fruits and vegetables, plus your Total IgE.
It suits people whose symptoms seem linked to eating, rather than to pollen, pets or dust. It has the same food list as the Complete Panel, without the inhaled allergens. It looks for IgE, so it is a different test from our Food Sensitivity test, which measures IgG.
Your sample is a venous blood draw at our Lanchester clinic in County Durham or one of 50+ UK partner clinics, analysed by Randox Laboratories, accredited by UKAS to ISO 15189. Results take up to 5 working days. Your report shows sensitisation for a clinician to read alongside your symptoms; Chxhealth does not diagnose, treat or prescribe.
Sample requirements
×22 blood tubes
Collected at either our Chxhealth clinic in Lanchester (book your appointment during checkout) or at one of our 50+ UK partnered clinics (you'll receive a separate booking email after checkout). Phlebotomy fee included in the price.
ISO accredited
Independent quality standard
Plain-English reports
Easy to understand
GDPR-secure
Your data stays private
What we measure
The biomarkers in this panel.
Apple
IgE antibodies to apple proteins.
Why it matters
Apple is a classic trigger of mouth itching in people with birch pollen allergy.
Carrot
IgE antibodies to carrot proteins.
Why it matters
Raw carrot can cause mouth itching in some people with birch pollen allergy.
Casein
IgE antibodies to casein, the main protein group in milk.
Why it matters
Casein is less affected by heat than other milk proteins, which a clinician may weigh up.
Celery
IgE antibodies to celery proteins.
Why it matters
Celery is a major labelled allergen and can be linked with birch and mugwort pollen.
Chocolate
IgE antibodies to chocolate (cocoa) proteins.
Why it matters
Separates a cocoa reaction from reactions to milk or nuts in chocolate products.
Coconut
IgE antibodies to coconut proteins.
Why it matters
Coconut is used in many foods and cosmetics; IgE allergy is uncommon.
Cod fish
IgE antibodies to cod proteins.
Why it matters
Fish allergy often affects several species, and cod is a common reference fish.
Corn
IgE antibodies to corn (maize) proteins.
Why it matters
Corn is found in many foods as flour, starch and oil.
Crab
IgE antibodies to crab proteins.
Why it matters
Crab is a crustacean; sensitisation often overlaps with shrimp and prawn.
Egg white
IgE antibodies to egg white proteins.
Why it matters
Egg white holds most of the proteins behind egg allergy, common in young children.
Egg yolk
IgE antibodies to egg yolk proteins.
Why it matters
Adds to the egg white result, as yolk contains some different egg proteins.
Garlic
IgE antibodies to garlic proteins.
Why it matters
Garlic is used widely in cooking, so it is hard to avoid without knowing.
Hazelnut
IgE antibodies to hazelnut proteins.
Why it matters
Hazelnut is a common tree nut allergen and can be linked with birch pollen.
Milk
IgE antibodies to cow's milk proteins.
Why it matters
Cow's milk is one of the most common food allergens, especially in early childhood.
Oat
IgE antibodies to oat proteins.
Why it matters
Oats are a common breakfast cereal and baking ingredient.
Onion
IgE antibodies to onion proteins.
Why it matters
Onion is in many everyday meals, sauces and ready-made foods.
Orange
IgE antibodies to orange proteins.
Why it matters
A common fruit and juice; true IgE allergy is uncommon but possible.
Peach
IgE antibodies to peach proteins.
Why it matters
Peach and related stone fruits are a recognised cause of fruit allergy.
Peanut
IgE antibodies to peanut proteins.
Why it matters
Peanut is one of the most common causes of food allergy in the UK.
Potato
IgE antibodies to potato proteins.
Why it matters
A staple food; sensitisation is uncommon but can occur.
Rye Flour
IgE antibodies to rye flour proteins.
Why it matters
Rye is a cereal grain eaten in bread and crispbreads, and inhaled as flour dust.
Salmon
IgE antibodies to salmon proteins.
Why it matters
Adds an oily fish to the panel, as people can react to some fish and not others.
Sesame seed
IgE antibodies to sesame seed proteins.
Why it matters
Sesame is one of the 14 major allergens that UK food labels must declare.
Shrimp
IgE antibodies to shrimp (prawn) proteins.
Why it matters
Shellfish allergy often starts in adulthood and can be linked with dust mite.
Soyabean
IgE antibodies to soya bean proteins.
Why it matters
Soya is a major labelled allergen and is found in many processed foods.
Strawberry
IgE antibodies to strawberry proteins.
Why it matters
Helps tell an IgE sensitisation apart from simple skin irritation around the mouth.
Tomato
IgE antibodies to tomato proteins.
Why it matters
Tomato reactions can be linked with pollen allergy in some people.
Tuna
IgE antibodies to tuna proteins.
Why it matters
A widely eaten fish that is often included when fish allergy is suspected.
Walnut
IgE antibodies to walnut proteins.
Why it matters
Walnut is one of the tree nuts most often linked with food allergy.
Wheat
IgE antibodies to wheat proteins.
Why it matters
Wheat allergy is an IgE reaction and is different from coeliac disease.
Total IgE
The total amount of IgE antibody in your blood.
Why it matters
Gives context for the allergen-specific results; raised levels are common in atopy.
Biomarker FAQs
Questions about these biomarkers.
Can total IgE alone tell me if I have a food allergy?
No. Total IgE is the overall amount of IgE in your blood and is not linked to any particular food. It can be normal in someone with a food allergy and raised in someone without one, for example with eczema or hay fever. It is included to help a clinician interpret your 31 food-specific results.
More about Total IgE
Why test casein as well as milk?
Casein is the main group of proteins in cow's milk. The milk marker covers milk proteins as a whole, while casein looks at this group on its own. Casein is less affected by heat than some other milk proteins, so a clinician may consider it when thinking about cooked or baked milk. Never reintroduce milk without clinical advice.
More about Casein
If I react to prawns, will I react to crab?
Often, but not always. Crab and shrimp are both crustaceans and share a protein called tropomyosin, so sensitisation to one frequently appears with the other. This panel tests crab and shrimp separately. A clinician will look at both results with your history before advising which shellfish, if any, to avoid.
More about Crab
Why test three different fish?
The panel tests cod, salmon and tuna. Many fish share similar proteins, so sensitisation often covers several species, but some people react to certain fish and not others. Tuna is widely eaten, both fresh and tinned. Comparing the three results helps a clinician judge how wide any fish sensitisation is.
More about Tuna
Is almond a tree nut?
Yes. Almond is a tree nut, and nuts are among the 14 major allergens on UK food labels. Almond is used in marzipan, baking, plant milks and many snacks. Tree nut allergies do not always occur together, so this panel tests almond, hazelnut and walnut separately. This marker measures IgE to almond proteins.
More about Almond
Why is peach on the panel?
Peach is a recognised cause of fruit allergy. Some peach reactions are mild, such as mouth itching linked to pollen, while others can be more significant. Related stone fruits such as plums, cherries and apricots can sometimes be involved. This marker measures IgE to peach proteins, which a clinician reads with your history.
More about Peach
Can you be allergic to chocolate?
IgE allergy to cocoa itself is uncommon. Reactions after eating chocolate are more often caused by other ingredients, such as milk, nuts, soya or sesame. This marker measures IgE to chocolate, so a clinician can see it alongside your milk, nut and soya results and work out which ingredient is more likely to matter.
More about Chocolate
Is coconut a nut allergy?
Despite the name, coconut is a fruit. It is not usually grouped with tree nuts, and many people with a tree nut allergy eat coconut without problems. IgE allergy to coconut is uncommon but does occur. This marker measures IgE to coconut proteins, which can be useful if coconut is a suspect food in your history.
More about Coconut
Can tomato cause an allergic reaction?
Yes, though it is not one of the most common food allergens. In some people, tomato reactions are linked with grass or other pollen sensitisation and cause itching in the mouth. Redness around the mouth after tomato is often skin irritation from its acidity rather than allergy. This marker measures IgE to tomato proteins.
More about Tomato
Can you be allergic to garlic and onion?
It is uncommon, but yes. Garlic and onion belong to the same plant family, so sensitisation to one can come with the other. Garlic can also cause skin rashes in people who handle it often, which is a contact reaction rather than IgE allergy. The panel tests garlic and onion separately for IgE.
More about Garlic
Is this panel right for me?
Who this panel is built for.
Who this is for
- Adults who get symptoms such as hives, itching or swelling soon after eating certain foods.
- People who want to see which of several suspect foods they are sensitised to.
- Anyone who cannot easily have skin-prick testing for foods.
Consider speaking to a clinician first
- Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Speak to your GP, who can refer you to an NHS allergy clinic.
- People looking for coeliac disease, lactose intolerance or eosinophilic oesophagitis. These are not IgE allergies and this panel does not detect them.
- People looking for an IgG food intolerance profile. Our Food Sensitivity test measures IgG instead.
- Anyone under 18. Chxhealth tests are for adults.
This panel reports biomarker data. It does not diagnose any condition. Your results should be reviewed alongside the advice of your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.
How it works
Order to results in four simple steps.
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1
Order online
Choose your test, complete your details and book your appointment (either through an email sent after an order with a UK partnered clinic or on our site for our own clinic).
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2
Collect your sample
Visit our Chxhealth Clinic in County Durham or head to one of our 50+ partnered clinics all over the UK.
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3
Lab analysis
ISO accredited process through our lab partners. Your sample is analysed using independently certified methods and is double checked for accuracy.
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4
Get your report
Easy-to-read results sent from us to your inbox.
Booking and results
Before and after your test.
How do I book my appointment?
After you order, you will receive an email with a link to book your appointment. You can choose the Chxhealth clinic in Lanchester, County Durham, or one of our 50+ UK partner and pop-up clinics. View all clinic locations.
Do I need to pay for the phlebotomist?
No. The phlebotomy fee is included in the price. There are no hidden costs at the appointment.
Do I need to fast before my blood test?
It isn’t required, but for tests that include glucose, lipids (cholesterol) or insulin, fasting is recommended for the best results. If you fast, drink water only. If you have diabetes or another medical condition, check with your GP before fasting. If you’d rather not fast, that’s fine: just let us know at your appointment.
Should I keep taking my medication before the test?
Yes, keep taking your medication as normal. Some medicines can affect particular markers; for example, blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin can affect clotting tests. If you are unsure, contact us before booking.
Which laboratory analyses my sample?
Samples are analysed by Randox Laboratories, a UK clinical laboratory accredited by UKAS to ISO 15189.
How will I receive my results?
You will receive a plain-English PDF report by email. It shows each biomarker, your result, the reference range the laboratory uses and a short explanation of what each marker measures.
Can I share my results with my GP?
Yes. The PDF report is designed to be shared. You can email or print it for your GP or another healthcare professional.
Can this test diagnose a condition?
No. Chxhealth is a biomarker and genetic data provider; we do not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Your report shows where your results sit against the reference range, and anything outside the typical range is flagged so you can follow it up with a healthcare professional.
How is my health data handled?
Chxhealth complies with UK GDPR. Your personal data and results are stored in encrypted, UK-based systems and are never shared with third parties without your explicit consent. You can ask for your data to be exported or deleted at any time.
Can I cancel or get a refund?
If you cancel before your sample has been taken, we offer a full refund. Once your sample has been taken and sent to the laboratory, a refund is not possible because the lab work has been done. See our refund policy for full terms.
About this test
Questions about this test.
What does the Allergy Food Panel test for?
It measures IgE to 31 foods: almond, apple, carrot, casein, celery, chocolate, coconut, cod, corn, crab, egg white, egg yolk, garlic, hazelnut, milk, oat, onion, orange, peach, peanut, potato, rye flour, salmon, sesame seed, shrimp, soya bean, strawberry, tomato, tuna, walnut and wheat. Total IgE is also measured.
How does the Food Panel compare with the other allergy panels?
It has the widest food cover of any focused panel, with the same 31 foods as the Complete Panel but no pollens, animals or moulds. The First-Line Panel includes 3 foods and the Enhanced Panel 9, alongside common inhaled allergens. If your symptoms might also come from pollen, pets or dust mites, a broader panel may suit you better.
Do I need to stop antihistamines before the Food Panel?
No. Antihistamines affect skin-prick testing because they dampen the skin's reaction, but they do not interfere with an IgE blood test in the same way. That is one reason a blood test can suit people who cannot easily stop their antihistamines. Keep taking any medicine you have been prescribed unless the clinician who prescribed it tells you otherwise.
Is the Food Panel better than a skin-prick test?
Neither is better in every case. A skin-prick test is done in clinic and read within minutes. A blood test measures IgE in a serum sample instead, so it can suit people who cannot stop antihistamines, have widespread eczema or are at higher risk of a severe reaction to testing. Both show sensitisation and both need reading alongside your symptoms.
What does a positive result on the Food Panel mean?
A positive result means your immune system has made IgE antibodies to that allergen. This is called sensitisation, and it is not the same as a confirmed allergy: many people have IgE to a food they eat regularly with no symptoms at all. A negative result makes an IgE allergy less likely but does not completely rule one out. A clinician should interpret your results alongside your symptoms and history.
How is the Food Panel different from the Chxhealth Food Sensitivity test?
The Food Panel looks for IgE, the antibody behind immediate allergic reactions such as hives, swelling or vomiting soon after eating. Food Sensitivity measures IgG to 207 foods. IgG is not IgE, and Food Sensitivity does not test for immediate allergy, so it cannot show whether you are allergic to a food. The two tests answer different questions.
How long do Food Panel results take?
Results take up to 5 working days. Your sample is a venous blood draw (2 serum tubes), taken at the Chxhealth clinic in Lanchester, County Durham, or at one of our 50+ UK partner clinics. There is no at-home kit for this test. Your report shows your IgE result for each allergen on the panel and your Total IgE.
What happens after I get my Food Panel results?
Share your report with your GP or another clinician, who can read it alongside your symptoms. They may suggest further assessment or a referral to an NHS allergy clinic. Chxhealth does not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Please do not cut foods out of your diet or make big changes at home based on a result alone, without clinical advice.
Is this a subscription?
No. The price covers one test. If you would like to test again later, you simply book a new one.
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