Precautionary allergen labeling: Current communication problems and potential for future improvements

While there are EU laws for priority allergenic ingredients information on food product packaging, there is no legislation about Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) for unintended allergen presence (UAP). As a result, PAL is used in different ways by different manufacturers and retailers, which hampers consumers’ interpretation of the...

Low dietary adherence after a positive food challenge in food allergic adults

Background: After a positive food challenge (FC), patients receive dietary advice regarding avoidance of the culprit food. We examined the frequency and variables associated with dietary adherence after a positive FC in adults. Methods: In this prospective daily practice study, adults with a positive FC were included. After every FC, dietary...

Poor understanding of allergen labelling by allergic and non-allergic consumers

Background: Understanding consumers’ interpretation of allergy information is crucial for effective food safety policies. We evaluated consumer understanding of allergy information on foods in controlled, experimental studies. Method: Using 18 packaged foods, we evaluated consumer understanding of information about allergens in two experiments:...

Accidental food-allergic reactions are associated with higher costs and more sick leave but not with quality of life

Allergen risk assessment: Food intake levels of the general population represent those of food allergic patients

Unintentional intake of allergens through food products poses a daily risk for allergic patients. Models estimating the risk of reactions mostly use intake data from general population surveys. Our study evaluates the comparability of food intake levels in the general population to those in the food allergic population. Data were collected by a...

Potential cofactors in accidental food allergic reactions are frequently present but may not influence severity and occurrence

Background: Cofactors, such as physical exercise and alcohol intake, might be associated with the severity or occurrence of food allergic reactions. Objective: To gain insight into the frequency of presence of potential cofactors in accidental food allergic reactions in adults and to what extent these factors influence the severity and...

Accidental food allergy reactions: Products and undeclared ingredients

Background: Accidental allergic reactions to food are frequent and can be severe and even fatal. Objective: We sought to analyze the culprit food products and levels of unexpected allergens in accidental reactions. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in adults (n = 157) with a physician-confirmed diagnosis of food allergy. During a...

Accidental allergic reactions in food allergy Causes related to products and patients management

[No abstract available]

Frequency, severity and causes of unexpected allergic reactions to food: A systematic literature review

Summary: Food allergic patients have to deal with an avoidance diet. Confusing labelling terms or precautionary labels can result in misinterpretation and risk-taking behaviour. Even those patients that strictly adhere to their diet experience (sometimes severe) unexpected allergic reactions to food. The frequency, severity and causes of such...

Frequentie en oorzaak van onverwachte allergische reacties op voedsel [Frequency and cause of unexpected allergic reactions to food]

Unexpected reactions occur in patients with food allergy, but frequency data are scare. This prospective study investigates the frequency, severity and causes of unexpected allergic reactions to food in adults with a doctor's diagnosed food allergy. Participants complete an online questionnaire after every unexpected reaction and send in the...

Comparing high altitude treatment with current best care in Dutch children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (and asthma): Study protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (DAVOS trial)

Background: About 10 to 20% of children in West European countries have atopic dermatitis (AD), often as part of the atopic syndrome. The full atopic syndrome also consists of allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and food allergy. Treatment approaches for atopic dermatitis and asthma include intermittent anti-inflammatory therapy with...

A systematic review of the effect of thermal processing on the allergenicity of tree nuts

Background Allergenicity of foods can be influenced by processing. Tree nuts are an important source of nutrition and increasingly consumed; however, processing methods are quite variable and data are currently lacking on the effects of processing on allergenicity. Objective To perform a systematic literature review on the effects of food...

Unexpected allergic reactions to food, a prospective study

Unexpected reactions occur in patients with food allergy, but frequency data are scare. This prospective study investigates the frequency, severity and causes of unexpected allergic reactions to food in adults with a doctor's diagnosed food allergy. Participants complete an online questionnaire after every unexpected reaction and send in the...