Analytical Testing as a Tool for the Enforcement of Future Regulatory Thresholds for Food Allergens

Abstract Food allergen labeling regulations have been implemented in several countries since 2006. Currently, experts are still discussing the introduction of thresholds or action levels, which should lead to the reduction of the widespread use of advisory statements (e.g., may contain) for the benefit of the allergic consumer. However, the establishment of threshold requires supporting analytical methodologies to enforce and comply with the regulations. This article discusses the possibilities and limitations of existing and emerging methodologies for the purpose of enabling compliance with and enforcement of allergen action levels.

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Investigation of undeclared food allergens in commercial Thai food products update after enforcing food allergen labeling regulation

Food Control ◽

10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107554 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 120 ◽

pp. 107554

Author(s):

Vipa Surojanametakul ◽

Sirinrat Srikulnath ◽

Pailin Chamnansin ◽

Haruki Shibata ◽

Masahiro Shoji

Keyword(s):

Food Allergen ◽

Food Products ◽

Food Allergens ◽

Allergen Labeling

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Japanese Food Allergen Labeling Regulation: An Update

Journal of AOAC International ◽

10.5740/jaoacint.17-0389 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 101 (1) ◽

pp. 8-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Masahiro Shoji ◽

Reiko Adachi ◽

Hiroshi Akiyama

Keyword(s):

Food Allergy ◽

Food Allergen ◽

Threshold Value ◽

Food Allergens ◽

Detection Criterion ◽

Opportune Time ◽

Allergen Protein ◽

Prepackaged Foods ◽

Set Up ◽

Allergen Labeling

Abstract The Japanese food allergen labeling regulation was designed to match real Japanese food allergy circumstances and also to be enforced effectively; thus, (1) regulated food allergens were selected by prevalence and seriousness according to food allergy surveys in Japan; (2) the detection criterion for ELISA monitoring, 10 μg food allergen protein/g (or mL) food, was set up as the threshold value to regulate commercial prepackaged foods; and (3) official food allergen analytical methods, which can determine the threshold value accurately, were developed. These three points are distinctive from other countries. Furthermore, as an on-going project, the regulation has been amended according to food allergy circumstances and requirements of society. This paper presents recent changes regarding the Japanese food allergen labeling regulation. To date, the Japanese food allergen labeling regulation has been enforced for more than 15 years and seems to be working effectively. Now would be an opportune time to review the regulation for its next level of development.

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Comparison of international food allergen labeling regulations

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1016/j.yrtph.2012.04.007 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 279-285 ◽

Cited By ~ 127

Author(s):

Steven M. Gendel

Keyword(s):

Food Allergen ◽

Labeling Regulations ◽

Allergen Labeling

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Criteria to Determine Food Allergen Priority

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-63.7.982 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 63 (7) ◽

pp. 982-986 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

JUPITER M. YEUNG ◽

RHONA S. APPLEBAUM ◽

REGINA HILDWINE

Keyword(s):

Food Allergen ◽

Food Industry ◽

Scientific Literature ◽

Immunoglobulin E ◽

Allergic Reactions ◽

Food Allergens ◽

Important Challenge ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Allergen Labeling ◽

Food Anaphylaxis

The emergent health issue of food allergens presents an important challenge to the food industry. More than 170 foods have been reported in the scientific literature as causing allergic reactions. Clearly, it would be impossible to deal with the presence of trace amounts of all these in the context of food labeling. If the decision to classify major allergens is based solely on the knowledge and experience of allergists and food scientists in the field, without scientifically defined criteria, it is likely to lead to a proliferation of lists. Such practices may lead to an unnecessary elimination of foods containing important nutrients. This paper defines food allergy, food intolerance, and food anaphylaxis and identifies criteria for classifying food allergens associated with frequent allergic reactions. A practical list of food allergens that may result in potentially life-threatening allergic reactions is provided. A mechanism-based (i.e., immunoglobulin E mediated), acute life-threatening anaphylaxis that is standardized and measurable and reflects the severity of health risk is proposed as the principal inclusion criterion for food allergen labeling. Where available, prevalence in the population and threshold levels of allergens should be used as an additional guide to identify possible future labeling needs.

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Voluntary vs Mandatory Disclosure of Risk Information: Evidence from Food Allergen Labeling Campaign

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.2495134 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Vyshnya Aslam

Keyword(s):

Food Allergen ◽

Risk Information ◽

Mandatory Disclosure ◽

Allergen Labeling

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A survey of food allergen labeling and undeclared allergen residues in pre-packaged food products imported from Thailand

Food Control ◽

10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.107881 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 124 ◽

pp. 107881

Author(s):

Chatchaporn Uraipong ◽

Phuttachat Kaewdang ◽

Nicki Shwe Yee ◽

Masahiro Shoji ◽

Nanju Alice Lee

Keyword(s):

Food Allergen ◽

Food Products ◽

Packaged Food ◽

Allergen Labeling

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Development of a Germ-Free Murine Model for Prediction of Food Allergen Potency: Preliminary Studies Using Peanut Ara h1 and Ara h2 As Model Food Allergens

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology ◽

10.1016/j.jaci.2015.12.1259 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 137 (2) ◽

pp. AB406

Author(s):

Nathan L. Marsteller ◽

Kwame Andoh-Kumi ◽

Stef J. Koppelman ◽

Richard E. Goodman ◽

Joe L. Baumert

Keyword(s):

Murine Model ◽

Food Allergen ◽

Food Allergens ◽

Germ Free ◽

Ara H1 ◽

Model Food

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A Review on Identified Major Food Allergens: Characteristics and Role in Food Allergy

The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.21048/ijnd.2017.54.3.11626 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 54 (3) ◽

pp. 346

Author(s):

Chhavi Arya ◽

Chetna Jantwal

Keyword(s):

Food Allergy ◽

Food Allergies ◽

Allergic Reactions ◽

Food Allergens ◽

Food Groups ◽

Consumer Protection Act ◽

Major Food ◽

Life Threatening ◽

Major Allergens ◽

Allergen Labeling

Food allergens are the substances present in food that cause food allergy. Human body reactions to food allergens range from mild to severe life threatening anaphylactic shock. At least seventy different foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions and several other foods have been identified which have the potential to provoke allergic reactions. Majority of the identified food allergens are proteins. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) identifies eight major food groups i.e. milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans as major allergy causing foods. These eight foods are believed to account for 90 per cent of food allergies and are responsible for most serious reactions to foods. Several studies have been done which identify the major allergens in various foods. The present paper attempts to review the major allergens present in various food.

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