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Taking the danger out of peanuts
A new development may make life safer for people with a peanut allergy
At last there may be some good news for the many people for whom any contact with peanuts can trigger a dramatic allergic reaction. An agricultural researcher at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has created a process for making allergen-free peanuts.
The processed peanuts have been tested on serum from people who are severely allergic with good results - no reaction was recorded. A spokesperson from the university said that food companies are already showing a strong interest in licensing the process, although there is no indication yet of when allergen-free peanuts might appear in our shops.
"We are extremely pleased that we were able to find such a simple solution to a vexing problem that has enormous economic and public health ramifications, both for peanut-sensitive individuals, and the food industry as a whole," said Dr Mohamed Ahmedna, inventor of the process and associate professor of food science in N C A & T's School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
About peanut allergy
Peanuts appear in an enormous range of foods, either whole, in pieces or as peanut (or arachis) oil. And for those people with the allergy contact with even a small amount of peanut can cause a severe reaction. In the most serious cases this can include a potentially fatal response known as anaphylactic shock. Estimates suggest that there are about half a million people in the UK with severe food allergies and you can develop them at any age.
For people with a peanut allergy – and their families – it means constant vigilance when shopping for food and when eating out. It also means a severely restricted diet as so many products are labelled ‘cannot guarantee nut-free’.
Anaphylactic shock is when your body’s immune system reacts badly to a food or substance. The reaction usually takes place immediately, although it can occur hours later. Symptoms can include swollen lips, tongue and throat, wheezing, drop in blood pressure (and fainting as a result), nausea and fever.
This should always be treated as a medical emergency. If you suspect someone is having a serious allergic reaction, dial 999, as they will need an injection of adrenaline as soon as possible, and to go to hospital. People who’ve previously had a severe allergic reaction will usually be prescribed adrenaline to carry with them in a ready-loaded syringe (an Epipen), to use if they react severely in the future.
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Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
