A school-based survey has found that 8.5 per cent of students report they are allergic to one or more foods.
The finding is an interim one, based on only 2800 participants in an online survey that is expected to grow to 30,000 students aged 10 to 18.
This year is the first time that a question on food allergies has been included in the long-running CensusAtSchool survey project hosted by the Auckland University statistics department, with Statistics New Zealand and the Education Ministry.
The question was added because of the widespread belief that the prevalence of food allergies is increasing. Its inclusion has raised hopes New Zealand may at last get some hard data on the size of the problem.
"The exciting thing about the CensusAtSchool survey is that inclusion of the question on food allergy reflects the impact this is having on children," said Allergy New Zealand chief executive Penny Jorgensen. "Also, this is only preliminary data. The survey expects up to 30,000 responses so we really look forward to the final data once it is available."