IFR scientists have made major breakthroughs in the difficult area of rapid analysis for food allergens, designed to help industry improve consumer assurance. The subject of human allergy to peanuts is attracting considerable attention because, although the numbers affected are very small compared to say, milk allergy, the consequences can be fatal. Young children can be particularly at risk.
Effects can be very rapid, occurring even as peanut reaches the mouth.
There is no single peanut allergen, thus different people can be allergic to different components of the nut. Allergic reactions to sesame are reportedly more severe than those to peanut. Incidence of adverse reaction to sesame is increasing due to diversification of the Western diet to include more Oriental-type ingredients. Thus many incidents occur after exposure to foods cooked in the home or in restaurants, which do not have peanut or sesame as a labelled ingredient. For the industry, detection of these allergens has been virtually impossible.