( CNN ) -- Since 2½-year-old Ava Zinna ended up in the emergency room this summer after an allergic reaction to peanuts , her mother , Tara , has worried about her daughter 's food whenever they eat out . But when the family went to Blue Smoke restaurant Sunday afternoon in New York , someone had already asked to hold the peanuts . Ava Zinna ate an allergen-free meal at the Worry Free Dinners event on Sunday . The Zinnas took part in Worry Free Dinners , a series of monthly meals for people with food allergies . Sunday 's 16-person barbecue -- complete with ribs , chicken , burgers and brownies -- was the first event aimed directly at parents and children affected by food allergies . `` When you 're going into a restaurant environment , you 're putting your child 's safety and livelihood into other hands , '' Tara Zinna said . At the Worry Free Dinners event , `` not only was the food phenomenal , but it 's wonderful to have an opportunity to interact with other families who are dealing with similar issues . '' The recent `` worry free '' meal event took place just days before the Food and Drug Administration 's September 16 public hearing on food ingredient labels . Since 2006 , food manufacturers have been required to clearly label products that contain any of the most common allergens -- milk , eggs , fish , shellfish , peanuts , tree nuts , wheat and soy -- but some allergy experts say the labels should be more explicit . Restaurant dining can be a terrifying experience for people with severe food allergies . When the meal arrives , there 's often no way of knowing every single ingredient that went into it , or what else touched the plate and utensils used to serve it . You also have to pester the restaurant staff with special requests . But with Worry Free Dinners , everyone has some kind of experience with all of that , which helps build camaraderie , said Sloane Miller , who started organizing the events in April . Read more tips on how to manage food allergies » . `` People sit down and start chatting immediately like they 're old friends , '' said Miller , known in the blogosphere as `` Allergic Girl . '' `` It 's so nice to be with people that you do n't have to explain [ to ] why you want something on the side . '' So far , Worry Free Dinners has catered to food allergy sufferers in New York -- there are about 12 million in America , according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network ( FAAN ) -- but Miller is looking to take the concept to other cities . A common but mysterious condition . One out of every 17 children under 3 years old in America has a food allergy , and some will outgrow their sensitivities , said Anne Munoz-Furlong , founder and CEO of FAAN . But allergies to peanuts , nuts , shellfish and fish tend to be lifelong , she said . As far as she knows , Worry Free Dinners is the first event series of its kind . Experts agree that allergies in general -- both food and inhalant -- are on the rise , but no one is sure why . Research on food allergies has been slow because `` for a long time , people thought this was a small problem , '' Munoz-Furlong said . The largest group of studies on the subject are in progress , including immunotherapy for people with peanut and milk allergies , she said . The majority of food allergy cases -- about 80 percent -- are `` cyclic , '' with mild symptoms that resemble those of pollen or dust allergies : sneezing , itchy eyes , and nasal congestion , said Dr. Alpen Patel , assistant professor of otolaryngology at Emory University . Other people experience nausea , vomiting and diarrhea consistently in response to certain foods . But for some people , ingesting something that even accidentally touched tree nuts or peanuts could result in anaphylaxis , a severe reaction that can lead to blocked airways , cardiovascular collapse , and even death . This is called a `` fixed food allergy , '' he said . After one severe reaction , he said , most people consistently avoid the offending food and do not experience another severe attack . But they also always carry a shot of epinephrine to self-administer immediately in case they experience signs of anaphylaxis . Enjoying food in spite of allergies . Miller has made a career of helping people with food allergies and other special dietary needs navigate their meals , whether at Thanksgiving or on a date , without feeling sick . She runs her own coaching practice , blogs and organizes Worry Free Dinners events under her umbrella organization Allergic Girl Resources Inc. She herself has dealt with allergies all her life -- as a baby she developed a rash when her mother switched from breast milk to cow 's milk , and at age 2 she had a reaction to tree nuts . She has since learned that she also has some form of allergy to salmon , lemon grass , eggplant , some types of melons and most tropical fruits . But Miller , now 36 , did not want her food allergies to prevent her from sampling the cornucopia of New York City restaurants . She developed relationships with restaurants that would accommodate her needs , and began organizing dinners for people who have similar allergy problems . `` It is both worry-free for the diner and worry-free for the restaurant , '' she said . `` Restaurants appreciate that I 'm looking out for them as well ... I want to make it as easy as possible for them to have people like me come in all the time . '' Where everybody knows your name . So how does someone like Miller , who lives with food allergies plus a `` wheat/gluten-free , processed sugar-free , lactose-free , soy-free , low processed food-free lifestyle , '' safely enjoy eating out ? Miller calls it the `` Cheers '' experience . The first time she goes to a restaurant , she always calls ahead and talks with the restaurant management to make sure they can accommodate her before making a reservation . Once at the restaurant , she 'll meet the manager and give him or her a card with a run-down of her special dietary needs . Often a chef will join Miller and the manager to discuss the menu . By this point , Miller says , everyone has been introduced by name . After the meal , Miller thanks the server , chef and manager , and tips the server generously . She 'll often call the next day and thank the manager for helping her eat safely . On her blog , allergicgirl.blogspot.com , Miller finds no shortage of restaurant meals to recommend and photograph . She 'll find creative alternatives to traditionally prepared foods that look no less appetizing than more familiar versions -- for instance , she recently had fish-free sushi made of potato tempura , sticky rice , avocado and sesame seeds . Not every restaurant will accommodate Miller 's special needs -- she has been refused service at some restaurants . But in general , she 's found that restaurants have become far more understanding than five years ago , if only because staff members have children with food allergies . `` That changes how they run their kitchen , '' she said . `` More and more people are touched by this , and do get it . ''
Woman organizes dinners at restaurants for people with food problems . If you have a food crisis , call ahead and tell the restaurant management , she says . 12 million Americans have food allergies , though some kids have them . Food riots are on the rise , but no one is sure why .