Animal Protein Allergies Explained
New research relates the closeness of animal protein to human protein in regard to allergies. This study found that allergens depend on their evolutionary distance of animal food proteins from a human equivalent. This explains, for instance, why more people are allergic to cow’s milk than horse’s milk, as horse’s milk is closer to human milk. With this study, researchers are now beginning to classify animal food allergens into three families of proteins. This may be helpful in identifying allergies and alternatives. (source)

Early Day Care Attendance May Protect Infants From Later Developing Asthma, From The Journal Of Allergy And Clinical Immunology
A recent study found that children who started day care by 3 months of age and went to daycare outside the home had lower IgE levels in their blood than other children. This leads the authors to believe that there is a critical time when “regular exposure to bacteria from two different environments may play a role in immune development” and exposure to normal bacteria can help support a healthy immune system. This supports the argument that we are making our children sicker through keeping them away from germs and dirt. Maybe we should all throw away our hand sanitizer. (source)

New Treatment for Food Allergies
A seven year old has been treated with allergy drops to combat his food allergies and an adult woman is doing the same treatment. Both have found relief for their allergies, even introducing mild amounts of the allergen into their diets. A tiny amount of the allergen is put into drop form and administered under the tongue on a daily basis for up to a few years. This could be an excellent new treatment available in the United States, one to keep our eyes on. (source)

Allergy Alerts:
Egg
Shain’s of Maine Ice Cream of Sanford, Maine is recalling all quarts of Kahlua Brownie Ice cream, all 3 gallon bulk tubs of Kahlua Brownie Ice cream and all 3 gallon bulk tubs of Double Fudge Brownie Ice cream, because it may contain undeclared egg. This ice cream was distributed in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Macademia
Dairy State Foods is recalling 7-oz. packages of “Minnie’s Bake Shop Chocolate Chunk Cookies” due to undeclared macadamia nuts. These cookies were available in Florida stores from September 18 to October 2, 2007. Customers may return the product for a refund.

Almond
Lochmead Dairy is recalling half-gallon containers of “Loch mead Farms Country Fresh Chocolate Premium Ice Cream” due to undeclared almonds. This product was sold at stores in the state of Oregon. Customers can return the ice cream for a refund or contact (541) 998-8544 for questions. (source)

*Remember, consistently check product labels as ingredients change. Also, if something looks suspicious, don’t always believe the labels. For instance, if you think you see nuts, you probably do, even if the label doesn’t say so.

- Heather Legg

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