Allergy Cluster
Aim
To explore problems and opportunities presented by
food allergy including varying the allergenic nature
of foods, risk management (including allergen monitoring),
allergen-free foods, and emerging beneficial effects
of microbes.
Rationale
Food allergies are an emerging concern for the consumer,
regulators and the food industry. Around 1-2% of adults
and 5% of children have IgE-mediated allergies, a small
proportion of whom can suffer severe, life-threatening
reactions to tiny amounts of a problem food. In response
to this a new food labelling directive has been developed
by the EU which makes labelling of 12 defined allergenic
foods and derived ingredients mandatory. This poses
new challenges to the food industry regarding allergen
hazard management.
Food allergies also present new opportunities to the
food industry to deliver authentic allergen-free products
and the potential beneficial effects of microbes, such
as lactic acid bacteria, for food allergies.
Combining the practical experience of the industrial
Cluster members with the fundamental research knowledge
of IFR will give new insights into these challenges
and opportunities.
Who Attends?
Food producers and packers, manufacturers, retailers
and caterers who are involved in allergen identification
and risk management, particularly in response to recent
EU legislation.
Food and biotech industry members interested in developing
novel means of modulating allergic responses, including
oral vaccination strategies.
IFR
Skill Base Underlying the Cluster
IFR is at the heart of international research activities
in the area of food allergy. We are leading an EU integrated
project on food allergy bringing together around 50
industrial and research organisations from across Europe.
The F&HN Allergy Cluster draws on this expertise
in:
- Fundamental immunology studying the mechanisms
of food allergy
- Allergenic food components, their traceability and
the impact of food processing and food structure on
allergenicity
- Lactic acid bacteria and microbial/immune system
interactions
It is also underpinned by expertise in consumer behaviour
and quantitative risk assessment.
-
Workshops to inform industry about
the nature of allergies and allergens, and recent
policy developments
-
Development of collaborative research
projects of direct relevance to industrial needs
|