Managing allergens in food

Controlling allergens in food is a matter of increasing importance for the food industry, especially in light of recent legislation. Effective handling of allergens depends on identifying allergenic ingredients, creating separate production lines for allergen-free products, and effective labelling to inform consumers about which products are safe to eat. Recent attention has also focused on novel methods to manage allergens in food, for example by reducing allergenicity through the prudent selection of raw food materials and improved processing techniques. Part 1 discusses the diagnosis of offending foods and how allergens can affect the quality of life. Expanding on these fundamentals, Part 2 reviews the effect of different methods of food processing on allergens and novel technologies which can reduce the potency of allergens or remove them altogether from foods. The final part of the book covers the key area of risk assessment and allergen management to achieve more uniform standards within the industry. Practical strategies to improve consumer acceptance of GM foods are also discussed.