A new paper from medical journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy has suggested a list of ingredients it believes should be highlighted in future on product packaging, to better prevent allergic reactions.
The research paper reads: “We identified eight foods frequently involved in food induced anaphylaxis and not currently listed in the European regulation. Given their frequency, severity, recurrence, and potential for hidden exposure, we propose that four - goat’s and sheep’s milk, buckwheat, peas-lentil, and pine nut - be considered for inclusion in the list.
Anaphylaxis causes the immune system to release a flood of chemicals that can cause the body to go into shock - blood pressure drops suddenly and the airways narrow, blocking breathing. Signs and symptoms include a rapid, weak pulse, a skin rash;and nausea and vomiting.
The new list also includes products produced in a beehive such as honey, kiwi fruit and sesame. All of the products can lead to respiratory issues with those allergic to them, but none are currently required to be shown on labels in the way things like peanuts, meat and others already are.
The eight products on the new list of suggestions are termed in the report as ‘emerging allergens,’ with the reported number of instances (between 2002 and 2023) where people have reacted thankfully in small numbers at this point.
But as an example, of the 49 pine nut-induced anaphylaxis incidents in that time, 36 (73.5%) occurred in children, showing how important this issue can be.
The European Regulation list on mandatory labelling of foods currently includes 14 allergenics. The full report can be read here.
No comments yet