Researchers from the University Medical Center Groningen developed a definition of food allergy for all Lifelines participants (adults and children) using the allergy variables from 2A. (sections: Diseases & symptoms (Allergies) and secondary & linked variables).

The Food allergy definition can be requested in the Lifelines catalogue or by mail (data@lifelines.nl).

In 2020, Westerlaken-van Ginkel et al. published a paper in which an algorithm to define food allergy in adults in Lifelines is developed and described. Since the allergy variables for adults differ slightly from those of children (completed by the parents) and adolescents, this algorithm has to be adapted to defined food allergy in children/adolescents as well.