Recently in Food Allergies Category

Small doses of peanut protein, given for months under medical supervision, can desensitize children with peanut allergy, reducing the risk of a reaction if they accidentally eat peanuts, according to a new study.

In other new research, scientists say they have found a way to predict which children are likely to outgrow their allergy to peanuts.

Both studies were presented Saturday at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO -- An oral immunotherapy regimen can help take the sting out of severe peanut allergies, reported investigators here.

Five of seven children with severe peanut allergy were able, after two years of immunotherapy, to tolerate a dose of 7.8 grams of peanut flour, equivalent to eating more than 13 peanuts, reported Scott David Nash, M.D., of Duke in Durham, N.C., and colleagues.

Yet while oral immunotherapy can desensitize patients to peanuts, children who undergo it may not be in the clear, cautioned the authors in a featured poster session at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology here.

About 20% of schoolchildren and adolescents in Sweden suffer from perceived food hypersensitivity (e.g. allergy or intolerance). Our knowledge of how child food hypersensitivity affects parents HRQL and what aspects of the hypersensitivity condition relate to HRQL deterioration in the family is limited. Thus the aim of this study was to investigate the parent-reported HRQL in families with a schoolchild considered to be food hypersensitive. The allergy-associated parameters we operated with were number of offending food items, adverse food reactions, additional hypersensitivity, allergic diseases and additional family members with food hypersensitivity. These parameters, along with age and gender were assessed in relation to child, parent and family HRQL.

Methods: In May 2004, a postal questionnaire was distributed to parents of 220 schoolchildren with parent-reported food hypersensitivity (response rate 74%). Two questionnaires were used: CHQ-PF28 and a study-specific questionnaire including questions on allergy-associated parameters. In order to find factors that predict impact on HRQL, stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were carried out...

ST. LOUIS — People with wheat allergies who have stayed away from beer now have a new option.

Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. today introduced Redbridge, which the company called the first nationally available sorghum beer. Starting today, Redbridge is available in restaurants and stores carrying organic products.

Sorghum is the primary ingredient in the beer from the makers of the nation's top-selling full-calorie and light beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Sorghum is a safe grain for those with wheat allergies. Anheuser-Busch is also marketing the beer as an alternative for those who choose wheat-free or gluten-free diets.

Many experts believe the current advice to parents to keep peanuts away from their babies may be making the problem worse.

In Africa, Asia and China, where peanuts are a staple food and routinely given to young children, rates of peanut allergy are lower than they are in the West.

Other research suggests the opposite - that early exposure to peanuts makes an individual more susceptible.

Parents are being asked to volunteer their babies for a major investigation into the causes of peanut allergy.

 

by Gloria Payne, DNJ

Did you know that almost 12 million Americans have a food allergy? About one out of every 25 American children under the age of 18 has a food allergy. Scientists have discovered that in the past five years, the existence of peanut allergy in children has doubled.

Did you know that there are approximately 150 to 200 food allergy-related deaths each year in the United States?

With the increased prevalence of food allergies, you probably will prepare food for someone with a food allergy, dine with someone with a food allergy or be a friend of someone with a food allergy.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Dec. 7, 2006)  - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people with allergies to almond, peanut, or hazelnut proteins not to consume the Schär brand Wafers and Biscotti products described below. The affected products may contain almonds, peanuts, and hazelnuts, which are not declared on the label.

All Best Before dates and lot codes of the following Schär brand products, imported from Italy, are affected by this alert.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Nov. 30, 2006) - The public warning issued on November 24, 2006 has been updated to include additional allergen risk and product information. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people with allergies to almond protein or peanut protein not to consume the Schar brand Snack - gluten free chocolate wafers with hazelnuts. The affected product may contain almond and peanut proteins which are not declared on the label.

All Best before dates and lot codes of this product described below are affected by this alert.

The Schar brand Snack - gluten free chocolate wafers with hazelnuts, a product of Italy, is sold in a 105 g package bearing UPC 8 008698 005286 on the back panel. On some packages, the UPC on the back panel may be covered up with a sticker. These packages have a white sticker on the front panel which bears a different UPC 8 00869 80528 6. Both the UPC are affected. The package contains three individually wrapped 35 g Snack bars.

DALLAS - T-H Foods is recalling some crackers that may contain undeclared milk and could be harmful to people with certain food allergies.

The Illinois-based company says its Crunchmaster Sesame Rice Crackers were distributed to Costco warehouses in Dallas and Sumner, Washington.The crackers were packed in a 6-count multipack that includes sesame and cheese flavors. The packages are labeled "Best Before date of Jun082007B."Consumers with questions should contact TH Foods at: 1-800-896-2396.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - Nov. 29, 2006) - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Euro-Excellence Inc. are warning people with allergies to almond protein not to consume the Swiss Delice Classique Noisettes brand Fine Milk Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts described below. The affected product may contain almond protein which is not declared on the label.

The affected product, the Swiss Delice Classique Noisettes brand Fine Milk Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts, is sold in a 100 g package bearing UPC 7 616501 012478. All lot codes are affected by this alert. This product has been distributed in Ontario and Quebec.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.