Recent research suggests that about one in
seven life-threatening allergic reactions are caused by
foods not currently listed on mandatory allergen labels.
Food allergies are rising, yet regulations, such as
the European Union’s 14-item allergen list from 2011,
have not been updated in years.
To identify overlooked triggers, Dominique
Sabouraud-Leclerc and colleagues analyzed 2999 cases
of food-induced anaphylaxis reported between 2002 and
2023 to the Allergy-Vigilance Network. They found that
goat or sheep milk, buckwheat, peas, lentils, pine nuts,
kiwi, apples, beehive products and alpha-gal (a sugar that
can trigger an allergy to red meat and other mammalian
products) were responsible for about 14% of reactions.
Goat and sheep cheese caused particularly severe
outcomes, including two deaths, and hidden exposures in
processed foods increased risks.
Based on these findings, the researchers
recommend adding goat and sheep milk products, peas,
lentils, buckwheat and pine nuts to Europe’s mandatory
allergen labelling. They argue that clearer information is
crucial for protecting allergic individuals and could
inspire broader international policy updates.
New Scientist. Christa Lesté-Lasserre. 20 Aug 2025. Adapted.
Which foods were found to cause the most severe
allergic reactions, including two deaths?
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