Understanding allergens is a top priority for food and beverage producers

This week, Co-op supermarket had to recall its 'Irresistible Lasagne' range due to an allergen error. The product was found to contain sulphites and mustard, two certified allergens. Neither of these were listed on the packaging.

That's not all Damage to a company's reputationThis is extremely harmful to consumers.

A Co-op spokesperson apologised for the inconvenience. It was a poor response to a mistake that could have been fatal.

Read moreIt turns out that this is why Indonesia imports 1 million tons of rice.

It is important for food and beverage manufacturers to understand the differences between food allergies and intolerances. While one can be an irritation (intolerance), the other can be life-threatening (allergy).

What is a food allergy?

Food allergies and intolerances are often confused, but they have fundamental differences.

Food allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to certain foods. If a person is allergic to a food or drink, the immune system releases chemicals such as histamineSymptoms of an allergy include hives and rash. The lips, face, throat, tongue, and mouth may also itch.

Food allergies are caused by the immune system viewing certain proteins as dangerous, triggering an immune response. Food allergies range from mild to life-threatening. An anaphylactic reaction can be life-threatening. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.

Food allergies are characterized by symptoms that appear almost instantly, within minutes of eating or drinking a specific food or beverage.

Food and drink allergies can occur to almost any of these foods, but the most common are milk, shellfish, nuts, eggs, wheat, soy, or tree nuts.

Avocados are a strange, but growing, food allergen.

A spokesperson for the New York Allergy and Sinus Centers said avocado is becoming more popular. That means people will be including it more in their recipes. The likelihood of developing an allergic reaction increases with increased exposure to foods and products. This is especially true for avocado. "Many people report allergic reactions when they eat avocado."

What is a food intolerance?

Food intolerance occurs when your body reacts negatively to foods, drinks or food additives. It is not an allergy because it does not trigger an immune response.

The symptoms of a food intolerance are mainly digestive, but not dangerous. Low levels of enzymes needed to digest certain foods can cause them. Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products and milk. People who are sensitive to lactose have a harder time digesting it. They may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and bloating when they eat foods containing lactose.

It is always possible to be intolerant to food and drink, but fructose (sugar), monosodium glutamate (MSG) or gluten are the three most common.

What will this mean for the food and beverage industry?

Food allergies are on the rise, according to the National Library of Medicine Food. It is important to declare all allergens on food and beverage packaging.

Industry can also help New guidelines to avoid allergen-related product recalls. Published by the Food & Drink Federation.

Susan Jebb is the chair of the Food Standards Agency. She says food manufacturers must have a system in place to identify potential allergens and mitigate them, in order to provide a safe product for people with allergies. The guidance highlights the factors to consider when companies assess allergen risk and provides areas to focus on when investigating the causes of allergy incidents.

Learn how to correctly and effectively label food and beverages.

What technological development opportunities does this represent for the food and beverage industry?

Allergens pose a serious problem for the food and beverage industry. These products also present significant opportunities for technological development.

Brands are already benefiting from it Sales of gluten-free products are on the risePeople with gluten allergies or intolerances are looking for alternatives. The rise of gluten-free products is another factor. Alternative dairy productsIt is clear that people with allergies or intolerances to dairy products want solutions.

Brands should use the allergen list as a checklist. Recently, we have seen the rise of alternative peanut butters. So what’s next? An alternative mustard? The brand that seizes this opportunity will surely be a market leader. Statistics show that demand for these products will increase.

FoodNavigator will host the second day of Protein Vision in 2024. We will discuss the importance of alternative dairy markets.