title: Egg and Milk Proteins as Hidden Allergens in Food: 5-Year (2010 to 2014) Results of Food Allergen Monitoring in Piedmont, Italy.
abstract: Cow's milk and egg allergies are two of the most common food allergies. Manufacturers of food products containing milk or eggs or their derivatives as an ingredient are required by European Union regulations to list their presence on the ingredient label. Under European Union legislation, member states are mandated to carry out food safety monitoring programs to verify compliance with food labeling requirements. Through the Regional Integrated Plan for Food Safety, the Piedmont (Italy) regional authority carries out an annual program to determine the presence of undeclared allergens in foods. In the 5-year period from 2010 to 2014, a total of 1,566 food samples were analyzed for the presence of hidden egg and milk proteins. The average positive percentage was 2.8% (3.6% egg and 2% milk proteins). Comparison between the allergen concentration and the published eliciting dose (ED) for egg proteins (0.03 mg) and for total milk proteins (0.1 mg) indicated a high risk of allergen exposure for sensitized consumers. The calculated exposure was up to 135× (for milk) the ED01 reported in the literature. Food manufacturers will need to improve their allergen control programs to reduce allergen exposure and risk.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.|Struttura Complessa Controllo Alimenti e Igiene delle Produzioni, CREALIA-Regional Center for Food Intolerance and Allergies, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela Manila
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.|Struttura Complessa Controllo Alimenti e Igiene delle Produzioni, CREALIA-Regional Center for Food Intolerance and Allergies, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Adriano
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.|Struttura Complessa Controllo Alimenti e Igiene delle Produzioni, CREALIA-Regional Center for Food Intolerance and Allergies, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Astegiano
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.|Struttura Complessa Controllo Alimenti e Igiene delle Produzioni, CREALIA-Regional Center for Food Intolerance and Allergies, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallina
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caramelli
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.|Struttura Complessa Controllo Alimenti e Igiene delle Produzioni, CREALIA-Regional Center for Food Intolerance and Allergies, via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Decastelli
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004531:Eggs; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity; D007558:Italy; D008892:Milk; D008894:Milk Proteins
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D008894:Milk Proteins
keywords: Consumer exposure; Egg; Food allergens; Milk; Official control; Threshold