Division/Committee: [AGFD] Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Food allergies represent a significant and growing public health concern. Food allergy reaction symptoms vary in severity from gastrointestinal disturbances and skin irritations to anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, and death. There is no cure, so consumers with allergies must avoid foods containing allergens to prevent these health consequences. Currently, the only widely accepted prevention method is complete avoidance of allergen-containing foods. Current analytical methods can be useful, but specific and sensitive detection of food allergens is often hindered by the effects of various treatment processes and food matrices on trace amounts of allergens. This symposium will provide the audience with a summary of recent developments in detecting and managing food allergens. This symposium will also discuss analytical considerations for quantifying food allergens, global development trends, and the future availability of these technologies.

Dr. Qinchun Rao

Associate Professor, Florida State University

Appearances