One in 10 babies born in Australia will develop a food allergy, causing serious health threats including the risk of death.
Managing these problems is the responsibility of the whole community, the NSW government says.
NSW Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson is encouraging consumers and food businesses to look at innovative ways to boost awareness of food allergies to help more than 160,000 people in NSW who have a food allergy.
"When it comes to dining out, both the customer and the food service business plays a role in helping to prevent an allergic reaction," she warned at the start of Food Allergy Awareness Week.
"Allergy awareness is everyone's responsibility," she said.
The nine foods responsible for 90 per cent of food allergy reactions are: peanuts, tree nuts (such as almonds and cashews), eggs, milk, fish, crustaceans, sesame, soy and wheat.
Food labels must comply with national standards, which are set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), so people can be sure they have accurate information about the foods they buy and consume.
"The law requires food businesses to provide accurate information when a customer asks about potential allergens in the food they are served," Ms Hodgkinson said.
© AAP 2015