Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Regulatory perspective on food allergens ?Global scenario

International Conference and Exhibition on Food Processing & Technology

November 22-24, 2012 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Shruti Sharma

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

Food allergies have affected mankind since centuries but it is a recent phenomenon that these have been recognized as an important food safety issue and public health concern. Studies have shown that over 150 million people worldwide are allergic to one or more food and are more prevalent amongst young children than adults. Food allergies are adverse immune response usually to a food protein. The reaction to these allergies ranges from merely irritating to life-threatening. Currently, there is no cure for food allergies and the most effective way to prevent is to avoid such foods. Vigilant reading of food product labels is one of the important strategies to avoid allergy as many countries like USA, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan provides for mandatory allergen labeling regulation for certain key foods. List of food allergens varies from country to country due to varying consumption patterns. 8 major food allergens have been identified by the Food Allergen Labelling and Consumer protection Act, 2004 in US. EU legislation recognizes 14 food allergens. Food allergy is not only prevalent in developed countries but is also common to developing countries. In India, an estimated 25% of the populations have atleast one allergic condition. Food allergies cause roughly 30,000 emergency treatments and 100-200 deaths per year. Upto 3 million Indians may have peanut allergy alone. The most common food allergies that most Indians experience are wheat allergy or gluten intolerance, peanut allergy, soy allergy, milk allergy or lactose intolerance and egg allergy. Apart from these allergies, studies have also been carried out which revealed that an allergic reaction to eggplant (brinjal) and chickpea appears to be commonly experienced by a considerable number of individuals in the Indian population. Due to the serious public health concern presented by food allergy, there?s a need of regulation on food allergies in India .Based on the legislative provisions available across the globe for labelling of food allergens and threshold for allergens, this area can be worked out. Science based risk analysis and research studies on allergens will help in aiming at appropriate and suitable regulations in this area.

Biography :

Shruti Sharma is a food technology graduate and postgraduate in packaging. She has about 5 years of experience and presently working as Technical Officer with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.