A new allergy – to coconut – is now where corn allergy was 40 years ago, according to Dr. Randolph; 50 percent of his new patients and 70 percent of his returning patients test allergic to coconut. This finding places coconut behind corn and wheat and ahead of milk and eggs in the frequency of food allergy.

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. . . coconut is difficult to avoid, as it is found in many processed foods and virtually all bar and liquid soaps. . . . there has been a tenfold increase in the importation of coconut since 1950.

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Acquired mainly by ingestion, but also by inhalation and contact, coconut is difficult to avoid, as it is found in many processed foods and virtually all bar and liquid soaps. Thus treatment may have to be desensitization. Importation of coconut, palm, and palm kernel oil has increased greatly in the past few years; there has been a tenfold increase in the importation of coconut since 1950. Coconut is not related to cacao (source of chocolate, cocoa, and cola), but coconut, sago palm, and date palm are all in the same biological family.