There is this alarming threat of food allergens not explicitly specified in most food labels nowadays. As a result, this problem has resulted in food recalls over the past few years. In case you become one of the unsuspecting victims of hidden food allergens, you should consult an allergy specialist doctor immediately for proper treatment and medications.

Hidden allergens present in food products

The total number of food products recalled due to hidden allergens had doubled within 2007 and 2014. This is despite the existence of The Food Allergen Labelling and Consumer Protection Act wherein all food manufacturers are mandated to specify in their packaging any potential allergens present in their products.

This may include food allergens such as peanuts, soy, tree nuts, and milk among a few. If you experience allergic reactions from these ingredients, consult an allergist specialist the soonest you can.

The increase of food recalls due to improved detection of the presence of allergens may be a positive thing. It can indicate that there are better awareness and testing procedures done to ensure that there is no allergen left undetected as compared to previous testing methods.

However, many of these product recalls may not be triggered until there will be a surge of reports of allergic reactions among consumers. That is why the FDA is working with these companies to further prevent these problems in the future.

Why there are “hidden” allergens

There are possible reasons why there are these so-called hidden allergens. Among these include the following.

Cross-contamination

This occurs when some utensils are also being used for different food products. For example, some food establishments and manufacturers may be using the same utensil to slice meat and cheese, the latter being a common food allergen. In other words, these utensils may not be cleaned thoroughly before using it for other food preparation purposes.

Ingredients containing allergens

It occurs when there are ingredients used to create another product, such as eggs or milk, which are also common allergens. Or when the same cooking oil is used to fry fish and fries. For any signs of allergic reactions, it is best to consult an allergy physician near you.

Misleading labels

This may be more alarming because it does not clearly indicate the presence of potential allergens in the label. For example, some milk products may still contain traces of allergens despite it being advertised as “dairy-free” or other similar labels. These allergens may not be a major ingredient and only used as a food emulsifier or binder. Still, these practices can be potentially life-threatening for allergy sufferers.

How to detect allergens in food labels

Some food ingredients may have different names but pertain to one item. That is why it is important to be aware of these ingredients so you won’t suffer from potentially fatal consequences in the future. It is also important to consult the best allergist to know more about this particular food concern.

Eggs

This is one of the most common food allergens. It may be present in different food items such as mayonnaise, cake flours, cookies, cocoa drinks, and ice cream among a few. Even without stating “egg” in the ingredient list, its presence can be disguised under the following names:

Albumin
Lecithin
Binder
Coagulant
Ovalbumin
Ovomucin
Emulsifier
Vitellin
Globulin

Milk

Meanwhile, milk may be easier to determine than eggs. It is commonly present in food products such as ice cream, margarine, baked and batter-fried goods, chocolate, and canned soups among a few. Lactose, which is a major component of milk, may also be present in some medicines. You can consult an allergist specialist to know more possible food items and medicines containing milk components.

Soy

This allergen may also be present in food products such as bread, cereals, canned meat, cooking oils, and salad dressings among a few. Its presence may also be indicated in food labels under the following names:

Miso
Tofu
Soy protein
Bulking agent
Carob
Gum Arabic
Vegetable starch
Thickener
Textured vegetable protein

There are many different types of allergens such as peanuts, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Each of these may not be explicitly indicated in food labels but traces of these allergens may also be present in different food products. You can find more details about these food products here.

Find allergy experts near you

If you are allergic to certain food items, it is important to seek medical help from an allergy physician. Some allergens may not be clearly stated in many food products, but at least you can have an idea of the abovementioned food ingredient name alternatives the next time you do your grocery. Contact the best allergist doctor in Manassas VA for your allergy information and treatment needs.

Life is not complete without some spice on it. The same applies to food. Without spice, your food will taste bland. Spices are also used in other consumer products including cosmetics and oral hygiene products. Spices are not also regulated as per the US Food and Drug Administration. That means most of these spices are not included in most food packaging.

As a result, spices are one of the most difficult allergy triggers since you cannot easily find them on food labels. In reality, allergy to spice contributes 2 percent of all food allergies. There are also no allergy testing or blood tests available to detect spice allergies.

The truth about spice allergies

Popular spices that can trigger allergies include garlic, cinnamon, vanilla, and black pepper. The “spicier” the spice (ex. Jalapeno, Carolina Reaper, etc.), the higher the chances of having allergic reactions. In case of allergic reactions due to these spices, you should go to an allergy specialist immediately.

Former ACAAI president Sami Bahna, MD says that spice allergy may look like it is a rare case. However, Americans are fond of using various spices in their everyday diet as well as using different cosmetic products. Women are also more prone to spice allergy since a lot of them tend to use cosmetics, perfume, and other beauty products. This could mean less spice (pun intended) in their lives.

Some may be allergic to only one spice, but can also have an allergic reaction to other spice blends. Those with spice allergies have to adjust a lot in their lifestyle, including watching their food intake and avoiding the makeup. In the case of flare-ups, you should consult the best allergist in your area.

Spices usually come from plants, hence the potential to become allergens. However, it is also believed that allergic reaction to spices are not real allergies but rather more on “intolerance”. To determine whether it is true allergies, you should consult an allergy physician so you will be given the right medications.

Are you allergic to spice?

A lot of people mistake “intolerance” with allergic reactions. One risk of this is to be given the wrong medications that can be detrimental to health. In such cases, you can contact an allergist for clarification. Here are symptoms that differentiate non-allergic to real allergic reactions to various allergens, including spices.

Non-allergic

Mouth itching (can be because of pollen but not due to the spice itself)
Coughing upon substance inhalation (can be more on an effect of irritants)
Skin rashes (can be due to skin irritation)

Allergic

Reactions with sesame seeds, a known food allergen that can cause life-threatening allergic reactions
Anaphylaxis (although rare, but common upon consumption of spices such as cumin, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme among a few)

If you notice consistent reactions every time you eat the same spice, talk to an allergy specialist doctor immediately. You will undergo skin prick testing to determine the presence of allergic antibodies to a specific spice.

Dealing with spice allergies

As mentioned, the best way to deal with spice allergies is to avoid it. Ingestion of spices when you have allergies to it can cause symptoms such as:

Bloating
Nausea
Diarrhea
Lip swelling
Hives
Anaphylactic shock (in the worst cases)

Spices are also present in beauty and oral hygiene products. As also mentioned, these are not also accounted for in most ingredient lists. Hence, it can be hard to detect which of these products do contain these dreaded spices.

Some may be allergic to one specific spice, while others can be affected by more than one. One way to deal with your allergies is to consider spice alternatives. For example, you can substitute oregano with other herbs like basil or thyme. Or if you are allergic to sesame seeds, you can use 1 tablespoon chopped blanched almonds instead.

Other ways to manage spice allergies

Other tips that can help minimize allergic reactions to spice are the following.

Keep ground spices and herbs for a year. For whole spices, you can store them for 2 years.
Store properly. Better yet, buy smaller containers to prevent spoilage and to ensure they will all be used up.
Check whether they are still fresh by breaking or crushing to release the aroma.
When cooking, add the fresh herbs (ex. oregano, thyme, etc.) just before you finish cooking to avoid losing its aroma and flavor.
In case you experience adverse reactions, visit an allergy clinic in Manassas VA immediately.

Tag Archives: food labels

The Hidden Truth about Food Allergens and How to Detect Them