Food allergy is a growing public health problem worldwide, with surveys suggesting that between 2-10% of people are affected at some level.  However, the causes, symptoms and severity of food allergies vary widely among individuals.  Moreover, although many of the immunological mechanisms underlying food allergy have been investigated, the reasons why some consumers develop allergies but others do not are still not fully understood.

In this chapter, we give an overview of current knowledge concerning the epidemiology and immunology of food allergies.  We also discuss recent developments in the diagnostic and intervention strategies available to allergy patients, along with their limitations.  Furthermore, we review recent discoveries in the biology of microRNAs – small, non-coding RNA molecules that are ubiquitous regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes – and how they may influence allergic responses.  In particular, we discuss the intriguing possibility that extracellular microRNAs present in the circulation or absorbed from ingested foodstuffs could be used to develop novel treatments for food allergy.