FACT: Yes, they can. Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), now usually called Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS), is a type of food allergy. With OAS/PFAS, the proteins in certain fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts are similar to those in pollens, and this “cross-reactivity” can cause allergic symptoms like an itchy mouth or throat. Symptoms may be worse in the cross-reactive pollen season. For example, if someone is allergic to birch tree pollen and has symptoms in the springtime, they may also experience symptoms from eating fresh fruits like apples.
