Anaphylaxis Campaign

Supporting people at risk of severe allergies

DonateEMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS

Full statement regarding Ide Primary School’s ‘nut-free environment’ policy

by

You may have seen in the news that Ide Primary School in Exeter has received criticism for introducing a ‘nut-free environment’ policy and the subsequent coverage in the Daily Mail Online.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign provided a full statement to the Daily Mail Online clarifying our position on this issue, which was shortened in the published article. You can read the full statement below.

Lynne Regent, Chief Executive of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, said:

“We recognise that this is an issue which generates strong views. Generally speaking, the Anaphylaxis Campaign would not necessarily support a blanket ban of any particular allergen in any establishment, including in schools. This is because peanuts and treenuts are only one of many allergens that could affect pupils, and no school could guarantee a truly allergen free environment for a child living with food allergy. We advocate instead for schools to adopt a culture of allergy awareness and education.

However, schools do have a duty of care to all pupils, so need to have procedures in place to minimise the risk of an allergic reaction occurring. All patients are different, and specific cases need specific advice, so a comprehensive care plan that accommodates the child’s needs should be developed with the input of parents, carers and medical professionals.

In nurseries and infant classes, it is reasonable to ask parents not to allow children to take peanuts and treenuts into school, in order to reduce the risks of cross-contamination for particularly young and vulnerable children. Schools caring for older children should undertake a thorough risk assessment and may wish to write to parents asking for their cooperation in making life safer for the children in their care. I would encourage all schools to take advantage of our free online anaphylaxis training course, AllergyWise for Schools, to help staff understand allergies and anaphylaxis and how to manage and care for children at risk.”

The Anaphylaxis Campaign helps raise awareness about allergies and anaphylaxis within schools and provide support to parents and carers of school age children.

  • Our free online anaphylaxis training course AllergyWise for Schools is designed to ensure that staff in schools are fully aware of the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, how to provide emergency treatment and how to manage and care for children at risk from Key Stages 1 to 5. Find out more and register here.
  • We also have AllergyWise for Healthcare Professionals, an essential “train the trainer” resource for school nurses, first aid trainers, community nurses and nursery nurses with responsibility for training others which is accredited by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), with discounted access for Professional Members of the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Find out more and register here.
  • School nurses are also welcome to join as a Healthcare Professional Member of the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Our members receive information and advice tailored for doctors, nurses, clinical professionals, first aid trainers and researchers with an interest in allergy, while helping us to raise awareness about anaphylaxis and support people who are at risk of life-threatening severe allergic reactions. Find out more here.

Our fact sheet aims to answer aims to answer some of the questions frequently asked by parents, carers and schools. You can read this on our website here.

We also have a dedicated help area for schools on our website. Visit www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/schools.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact our helpline team at [email protected] or call 01252 542 029.

For further information, please contact our press office via [email protected] or call 01252 893 862.

[1] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5234339/Primary-school-Exeter-bans-nuts-school-grounds.html

Statement regarding the inquest of Dylan Hill

by

The Anaphylaxis Campaign was saddened to learn of the death of 18-year-old Dylan Hill a few years ago and our Chief Executive has attended the coroner’s inquest that has been taking place this week in Sheffield to understand if lessons can be learned from this tragic case.

Dylan collapsed after dining at an Indian restaurant in Barnsley with his partner Demi Cash on 17th May 2015 and died after experiencing a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock after eating a curry which contained peanuts.

Lynne Regent, Chief Executive of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, said:

“Our heartfelt condolences go out once again to Dylan’s family. Teenagers and young people are a particular risk group of dying as a result of a severe allergic reaction, which is why we worked so hard to get our Take the Kit film made to raise awareness of anaphylaxis and the importance of always carrying emergency medication.

It is also vital that those affected by severe food allergies draw attention to these when eating out and that all in the food service industry are fully trained and aware of the importance of dealing with food allergies correctly. We will be working closely with the parties concerned in this tragic case to take forward the lessons learned”

Further updates regarding the case are expected to be released by the coroner’s office after Christmas.

We have more information and advice about eating out when you have food allergy and the importance of carrying life saving emergency medication below, and on our website.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact our helpline team at [email protected] or call 01252 542 029.

For further information, please contact our press office via [email protected] or call 01252 893 862.

Adrenaline

Adrenaline Auto-Injectors, known as AAIs, are the life saving drugs used to treat severe allergic reactions. The AAIs currently prescribed in the UK at present are Emerade®, EpiPen® and Jext®.

If you are prescribed adrenaline, it should be available at all times – with no exceptions. After an injection has been given, someone should call the emergency services immediately as the person will need observation in case of a secondary reaction and further treatment may be needed.

You can find out more in our adrenaline factsheet here.

Eating Out

By law, food businesses selling catered food (for example in restaurants, takeaways and hotels) are required to provide information on major allergenic ingredients, either in writing and/or orally. If information is provided orally, the food business will need to ensure that there is some sort of written signage that is clearly visible, to indicate that allergen information is available from a member of staff. Systems should also be in place to ensure that, if requested, the information given orally is supported in a recorded form to ensure consistency and accuracy.

You can find out more in our guide to eating out for young people here.

Take the Kit

#TakeTheKit was created after results from our Youth Survey in 2012 revealed that only 33% of young people carried their AAIs at all times. A recent similar survey which ran earlier this year in February 2017 has shown that 72% of the respondents said they carried their AAIs, an increase of 39%.

Find out more about #TaketheKit here.

Updated EpiPen® demonstration video released

by

Mylan UK has released an updated EpiPen® demonstration video to reflect changes to instructions on the administration of EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior adrenaline auto-injector, which is available to view on Vimeo.

More information about the changes are also detailed in a statement available on the www.epipen.co.uk website, as follows [1]

Mylan UK has recently received approval for a change to the instructions for use of EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior. There is no change to the device or the drug (adrenaline); the change is in the instructions for use as outlined below:

  • Reduced holding time from 10 to 3 seconds.
  • Removal of the massage step after administration.
  • The changes are aimed to simplify the process and improve compliance.
  • It is important to remember, the effectiveness of the EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior will not be impacted
    regardless of whether it is held for 3 or 10 seconds.
  • We expect EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior with the new instructions to enter pharmacies in the UK from
    November 2017 onwards, and these will gradually replace the 10 second labelled pen. As we go through
    the transition period, there will still be some EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior with the 10 second label
    available in the UK.
  • If you have an EpiPen® with the 10 second label, you don’t need to get it replaced. EpiPen®’s only need
    to be replaced when they have been used or when they are about to expire.
  • All EpiPen®’s should be used following these new instructions. The pen should be held for 3 seconds and there is no need to massage. If a patient forgets, and holds the EpiPen® for 10 seconds and/or massages the site, it won’t affect the way the EpiPen® works.

The adrenaline auto-injectors prescribed in the UK at present are Emerade®, EpiPen® and Jext®. The Anaphylaxis Campaign has contacted ALK the pharmaceutical company that produces Jext® and Bausch and Lomb who produce Emerade® who have informed us that they have, at present, no plans the change the method of administration of their adrenaline auto-injectors.

The place where the adrenaline is administered is the same for all three injectors; Emerade®, EpiPen® and Jext® are injected into the muscle in the front quarter of the outer thigh. However, the method of administration for each autoinjector varies slightly. Training should be given to all those who might be required to administer the adrenaline in an emergency, such as family members and friends. You can also find help on the website relevant to the injector you carry. For Emerade® visit www.emerade-bausch.co.uk, for EpiPen® visit www.epipen.co.uk and for Jext® visit www.jext.co.uk.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact our helpline team at [email protected] or call 01252 542 029.

EpiPen Demonstration Video (Change of use) from Mylan UK on Vimeo.

With reference to the new SmPC guidelines

[1] MYLAN UK, www.epipen.co.uk [online] 15h December 2017, www.epipen.co.uk

Statement regarding manslaughter charges following the death of Megan Lee

by

6th December 2017

Two men have been charged with manslaughter following the death of 15-year old Megan Lee on 1st January 2017. Megan had eaten food from the Royal Spice Indian takeaway in Hyndburn, Lancashire on Friday December 30th 2016 before experiencing an apparent severe allergic reaction. She was admitted to Royal Blackburn Hospital but sadly passed away on New Year’s Day.

Lancashire Constabulary have confirmed that – following an investigation by Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire County Council and Hyndburn Borough Council and consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service – Mohammed Abdul Kuddus of Blackburn has been charged with manslaughter, one count of failing to discharge general health and safety duty to a person other than an employee and one count of contravening or failing to comply with EU provision concerning food safety and hygiene. Harun Rashid of Haslingden has been charged with the same offences [1].

The company that owned the takeaway at the time of the incident has also been charged with one count of failing to discharge general health and safety duty to a person other than an employee.

Lynne Regent, Chief Executive of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, said:

“Our heartfelt condolences go out once again to Megan Lee’s family who have worked with us tirelessly to raise awareness about severe allergies and anaphylaxis and have fundraised actively to support our work.

The Anaphylaxis Campaign will attend the hearing of this case at Blackburn Magistrate’s Court and will be monitoring this case very carefully as it progresses.

It is vital that anyone affected by food safety issues continues to report any problems to their appropriate Trading Standards or Environmental Health Officer.”

The Anaphylaxis Campaign is the only UK wide charity focused solely on supporting those at risk of severe allergies and anaphylaxis. We provide information and support to people at risk of severe allergies, their parents and carers, the food and pharmaceutical industries as well as healthcare professionals; and campaign and fundraise to achieve our ultimate aim, to create a safe environment for all people at risk of severe allergies.

We have more information and advice about eating out with a severe allergy on our website here. 

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact our helpline team at [email protected] or call 01252 542 029.

For further information, please contact our press office via [email protected] or call 01252 893 862.

[1] https://www.lancashire.police.uk/news/2017/december/men-charged-in-connection-with-teenagers-death

Statement regarding the Court of Appeal hearing of Mohammed Khalique Zaman

by

Thursday 9th November 2017

The Court of Appeal in London has ruled on the case of Mr Mohammed Khalique Zaman who was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for the manslaughter of Mr Paul Wilson and charges of breaking various food safety requirements in May 2016 in the Crown Court at Teesside.

Paul Wilson sadly died in January 2014 after experiencing a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. Mr Wilson had eaten a takeaway from the Indian Garden Restaurant in Easingwold, which Mr Zaman owned. Mr Wilson had an allergy to peanut, and the waiter from whom he had ordered the meal had specifically confirmed that it contained no nuts, but this was shown not to be the case.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed Mr Zaman’s appeal. Lord Justice Hickinbottom who sat with Mr Justice Openshaw and His Honour Judge Topolski QC, stated “we are in no doubt that the conviction was and is safe” [1].

The Anaphylaxis Campaign attended the Court of Appeal hearing on Thursday 12th October 2017 in which Mr Zaman appealed against his conviction and sentence.

Lynne Regent, Chief Executive of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, said about the case:

“This was a ground-breaking case; to our knowledge, it is the first time a person within the UK has been convicted of manslaughter arising out of a fatal allergic reaction. This sends a clear warning to all caterers that allergies are of the utmost seriousness. Needless to say, our heartfelt condolences go out once again to Paul Wilson’s family.

We are very appreciative that North Yorkshire County Council and Trading Standards Department took the case so seriously and that it was brought to trial. North Yorkshire Trading Standards officers carried out their responsibilities in an extremely committed and professional manner, but sadly Mr Zaman chose to ignore prior warnings and opportunities provided by them. We would also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service and the Police for the seriousness with which they dealt with this matter. We hope this case has highlighted to the wider public and caterers the potentially devastating consequences of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and the importance of complying with all food safety regulations.

We would also like to thank all the other customers who had reported food safety issues in Mr Zaman’s restaurants to North Yorkshire Trading Standards officers. It is vital that anyone affected by food safety issues continues to report any problems to their appropriate Trading Standards or Environmental Health Officer to prevent another avoidable tragedy.”

The Anaphylaxis Campaign is the only UK wide charity focused on supporting those at risk of severe allergies and anaphylaxis. We provide information and support to people at risk of severe allergies, their parents and carers, the food and pharmaceutical industries as well as healthcare professionals; and campaign and fundraise to achieve our ultimate aim, to create a safe environment for all people at risk of severe allergies.

Over 200,000 people in the UK are at risk of such a severe allergic reaction that they are prescribed emergency adrenaline (NICE, 2011). There has been an increase in hospital admissions for allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock in England of more than a third in the past five years. Already this year we have been alerted to 9 food allergy related fatalities, most of which concern children. That is in addition to deaths from non-food allergens including drugs, venom and latex.

We have more information and advice about eating out with a severe allergy on our website.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact our helpline team at [email protected] or call 01252 542 029.

For further information, please contact our press office via [email protected] or call 01252 893 862.

[1] [2017] EWCA Crim 1783: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2017/1783.html

Changes to instructions on the administration of EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior adrenaline autoinjector

by

5th October 2017

The Anaphylaxis Campaign has been contacted by several of our supporters about the changes to instruction of the administration EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior adrenaline.

We contacted Mylan UK for clarification and they have provided us with a position statement, please below:

Changes to instructions on the administration of EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior adrenaline autoinjector

Mylan UK has recently received an approval for a variation to the administration of EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior adrenaline autoinjector. This update is in line with changes in the USA, Australia and some European countries. The changes have been implemented based on post marketing surveillance as well as the results of a review of relevant literature.

There is no change to the device or the drug (adrenaline); the change is in the instructions for use as outlined below:

  • Reduced injection time from 10 to 3 seconds – this is based on research confirming delivery of adrenaline for 3 seconds is sufficient.
  • Removal of the massage step after the injection – this step has been removed to simplify the process of administering EpiPen® or EpiPen® Junior.

The changes above are aimed to improve patient compliance.

It is important to remember that, the effectiveness of the EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior will not be impacted regardless of whether it is held for 3 or 10 seconds.

We expect EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior with the 3 second label to enter pharmacies in the UK from November 2017 onwards. There may still be some EpiPen® and EpiPen® Junior with the 10 second label available on the market.

Patients should be reassured that even if their product indicates it should be used for 10 seconds there will be no detrimental impact if it is only used for 3 seconds.

The adrenaline injectors prescribed in the UK at present are Emerade®, EpiPen® and Jext®. The Anaphylaxis Campaign has contacted ALK the pharmaceutical company that produces Jext® and Bausch and Lomb who produce Emerade® who have informed us that they have, at present, no plans the change the method of administration of their adrenaline autoinjectors.

 The place where the adrenaline is administered is the same for all three injectors; Emerade®, EpiPen® and Jext® are injected into the muscle in the front quarter of the outer thigh. However, the method of administration for each autoinjector varies slightly. Training should be given to all those who might be required to administer the adrenaline in an emergency, such as family members and friends. You can also find help on the website relevant to the injector you carry. For Emerade® visit www.emerade-bausch.co.uk, for EpiPen® visit www.epipen.co.uk and for Jext® visit www.jext.co.uk.

Australian oral immunotherapy trial has ‘life changing’ results for children with peanut allergy

by

17th August 2017

An Australian oral immunotherapy trial has had life changing effects for a group of children with peanut allergy.

Oral immunotherapy works by slowly introducing small amounts of an allergen like peanut into the diet of a person with an allergy, gradually building up to larger amounts in the hope the immune system learns to tolerate the food.

48 children were enrolled in the original trial and randomly given over an 18 month period either a combination of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus mixed with peanut protein in increasing amounts, or a placebo.

At the end of the original trial in 2013, 82% of children who received the immunotherapy treatment were considered to be tolerant to peanuts compared with just 4% in the placebo group.

The researchers documented how often the children ate peanut and any allergic reactions experienced in the 4 years after treatment ended. Additional tests such as skin prick tests and a peanut challenge test were performed.

The trial was randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled. This means that neither the researchers nor the children and the parents knew who was receiving the placebo treatment until after the trial was completed.

Four years after initially receiving treatment, the majority of children have continued to eat peanuts as part of their normal diet and 70% have passed an oral challenge test and are now considered to be tolerant to peanuts.

The research study funded by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Australian Food Allergy Foundation concluded that “probiotic and peanut oral immunotherapy provides long-lasting clinical benefit and persistent suppression of the allergic immune response to peanut” which is very positive news for children with peanut allergy and those who care for them.

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health has a podcast with by Professor Mimi L K Tang of the Royal Children’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia about the results of the trial that you can listen to on iTunes.

You can read more about allergy testing on our website here.

Those interested can also access the abstract of the research published in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health here.

 

 

End of year message from Lynne Regent, CEO the Anaphylaxis Campaign

by

The Anaphylaxis Campaign has a very busy and productive year in 2016 and I would like to thank everyone who has supported our charity, from our members, to our fundraisers to our volunteers – also everyone who has made a donation – thank you so much! We cannot campaign without your support.lynne_regent_photo-2014

  • We have continued to campaign in 2016 for people who are prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors to have two devices available to them at all times. We have had discussions with the Medicines Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) throughout the year and we will continue these important discussions in 2017.  You can read our latest update on our website.
  • A key campaign for us in 2016 has been our Anaphylaxis Matters Campaign – AIM. The objective of AIM is to increase knowledge of allergy in the UK so people are referred to specialists sooner and are also prescribed the medication they need.  In 2017 we will be launching an online tool to help you discuss with your GP your, or your child’s allergy, so watch this space!
  • This year we have published two editions of our magazine Outlook, you can read both the March  and September editions online.outlook_59
  • We continue to grow our network of support groups across the country, and we now have over 45 groups – all run by volunteers who are also affected by allergy, they have a real understanding of the anxiety and challenges severe allergies can cause. Find a support group near you here.
  • We have had some fabulous national press and TV coverage, including The One Show, The Daily Mail and the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2.
  • Our membership scheme continues to provide tailored support to families and individual living with severe allergy and the many challenges this brings. Our members also play a big part supporting our work and without them the charity simply could not exist.  If you would like to join us you can find out more and sign up today on our website.
  • bee-stings-daily-mail-jo-watersWe also have a very active Healthcare Professional membership scheme.  Our Healthcare Professional members include a wide range of medical professionals who work within the field of allergy.  They include school nurses, allergy nurses, GPs and Allergy specialists.
  • Our Corporate membership includes many companies who are involved in some way with the management of allergens and protecting their allergic customers. They include Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Cadbury’s, MEDA (who market EpiPen in the UK) and Waitrose.
In 2017 we need your support so we can continue our life saving work.  You can fundraise for us, take part in Orange Wig day or simply make a donation – everything helps.

On behalf of all my staff and the trustees of the Campaign I wish you all a very Happy Christmas!

 

Lynne Regent

How scientists are helping the food industry to protect allergic consumers

by

04/10/2016

Professor Clare Mills

Food allergies present everyday problems for allergic consumers and food companies alike. Sometimes it seems we simply have to come to terms with these problems and manage them on a daily basis. However, revolutionary scientific work is being carried out behind the scenes that aims to help food companies radically improve ifaamtheir management of allergens with the ultimate aim of protecting consumers at risk.

This article is intended to summarise some of those projects.

Data collected by the EU-funded EuroPrevall project – which looked at the patterns and prevalence of food allergies across Europe and beyond – are now being utilised in a global, EU-funded venture called iFAAM*. The intention is to develop evidence-based approaches to improve the control of allergens by the food industry and also help patients cope better.

Briefly, the aims of iFAAM are:

  • To develop evidence-based risk management approaches for food allergens in the food chain
  • To better understand analysis of allergens in the food chain and improve the interpretation of test results
  • To develop a food allergy knowledge base that ultimately seeks to provide a way forward for the application of precautionary allergen labels. A key outcome would be that phrases on food labels would clearly communicate the degree of risk that low levels of allergens may pose to consumers.

The project’s partners also hope to obtain the scientific evidence necessary to provide recommendations on the introduction of allergenic foods into infants’ diets in order to prevent the development of food allergies later in their lives.

  1. Evidence-based risk management approaches for food allergens in the food chain

Most allergen exposures occur in one of two ways: either the consumer makes a mistake and eats a food they should avoid; or a manufacturer or other food supplier fails to manage allergen handling properly and a food expected not to contain an allergen contains enough to trigger an allergic reaction.

There are many anecdotal reports of how people with allergies experience reactions in the community but until now, a systematic approach to studying them has not been widely undertaken.

Working with patient organisations such as the Anaphylaxis Campaign, DAAB in Germany and Anaphylaxis Ireland, iFAAM is systematically collecting details on the reactions experienced by allergic patients in Ireland (AlleRisc) and the UK (AlleRic). Where possible food samples have been collected and analysed for the presence of undeclared allergens.  The study is due to be completed in the coming months and is now being rolled out to other European countries such as Germany.

iFAAM acknowledges that in practice it is not possible to exclude allergens completely from foods otherwise free from a particular allergenic ingredient when shared facilities and processing lines are used. As a result allergen management strategies need to focus on how much residual allergenic ingredient can be tolerated in such foods.  An excellent body of research on how much of an allergenic food is required to cause a reaction is now available for foods such as peanut. These data are being used to build population-level dose distribution models which can predict the dose at which, for example, five per cent of the allergic population (known as the ED 05) might react.  The ED05 level of allergen is thought to combine a good level of patient safety.

The ED05 level is being verified in the iFAAM project for three allergenic foods: hazelnut, egg and milk. Using a study design implemented to validate the ED05 values for peanut, patients are given the allergenic food in a single portion of chocolate dessert. Data from these studies are encouraging and promise to provide a means of validating any dose level chosen that is considered generally safe for the food allergic population.

The amount of allergen eaten by a person with a food allergy is not the only factor that can impact on severity of the reaction. Through a set of integrated studies the iFAAM project is seeking to investigate how the food matrix and medication, such as antacids, may alter a patient’s reactivity to foods through clinical studies undertaken in Switzerland (Zurich), Spain (Madrid) and the UK (London and Manchester). These data will be used to assess whether these factors do indeed need to be taken into consideration in the risk assessment process and contribute to identifying safe allergen doses.

  1. Analysis of allergens in the food chain.

In the iFAAM project analytical tools are being developed for allergen analysis which target biologically relevant molecules known to cause allergic reactions, using foods with a defined allergenic activity. Ensuring such “clinical relevance” will aid interpretation of test results which play such a critical role in food allergen management and help to support food allergic consumers to avoid problem foods.  It will also help to provide analysts with much-needed quality control samples which have the potential to be developed into properly-validated reference materials in the future.

The methods include tests suitable for in-factory analysis (e.g. immuno-based) and confirmatory in-laboratory tests (e.g. mass spectrometry-based) for peanut, hazelnut, walnut, egg and milk.

Processing-induced changes to allergens (for example, heat-induced chemical modifications) and the food matrix may alter the allergenicity of food proteins. It can also modify the effectiveness of extraction and detection methods used for allergen determination. These factors are being taken into account in iFAAM so that the analytical methods being developed are robust and suitable for use in a number of different food matrices such as chocolate and baked goods such as cookies.

As part of this activity an inter-laboratory comparison of both immunoassay and mass spectrometry methods is being undertaken, involving analytical laboratories from Europe, the USA, Australia and Japan. This initiative is also supporting the harmonisation of reporting units, since allergen risk assessment is undertaken using a measure of protein – the component in foods that causes allergies – rather than on a commodity basis.

  1. The development of a food allergy knowledgebase

The project involves a comprehensive risk analysis of food production, which takes into account all the components in the food supply chain from the raw materials to the finished products, and including manufacturing and processing steps.

In order to take account of variations in portion size, the iFAAM risk assessment builds on food consumption data collected from individual allergic consumers.

The project leaders hope that knowledge gained from this part of iFAAM’s work will lead to a transparent way forward for the application of precautionary allergen labels and will seek to ensure phrases on labels clearly communicate the level of risk that low levels of allergens may pose to consumers.

*iFAAM stands for the Integrated Approaches to Food Allergen and Allergy Risk Management. The €9million project involves the world’s leading experts in the UK, Europe, Australia and US. Together they mark the biggest study of food allergy in the world. The project leader is Professor Clare Mills, of the Institute of Inflammation and Repair and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester.

Reference

Methods for managing allergens in food production: advances from the global iFAAM project. E. N. Clare Mills1, K. Beyer2, L. K. Poulsen3, S. Taylor4, S. Baumgartner5, R.W.R. Crevel6, S. Schnadt7, R van Ree8

 1Institute of Inflammation and Repair and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK; 2University Children’s Hospital Charité of Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany; 3Allergy Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Denmark; 4Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, USA; 5 Universität für bodenkultur, Vienna, Austria; 6SEAC, Unilever Colworth, Sharnbrook, UK; 7Deutscher Allergie- und Asthmabund, Mönchengladbach, Germany; 8Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.