In partnership with the Allergen Bureau, Advancing Food Safety (AFS) has developed a frontline training program to help industry gain maximum benefit when using the AFGC Allergen Forum’s VITAL Tool.

As mentioned elsewhere in this issue of eNews, the Allergen Bureau is increasingly being called upon to provide input into state and national food policy. The following are brief excerpts from two of our recent submissions. The full submissions are available to Full Member Companies via the ‘Members Only’ section of the Allergen Bureau website.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia was held recently. Presentation of new research in food allergies formed the basis of the program, some of which is summarised here.

A Japanese company, Maruha Nichiro Holdings Inc. has developed a method for easily detecting the presence of crab and shrimp in foods.

A review just published by Sicherer and Leung highlights key advances in allergic skin disease, anaphylaxis, and hypersensitivity to foods, drugs, and insect venom, primarily from among more than 95 articles on these topics published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology throughout 2007.

Have you registered for the 2008 Allergen Bureau Conferences in Brisbane (12th February) or Sydney (26th February)? If not, do it now! You can register on-line by going to the website of our conference conveners, Advancing Food Safety www.haccptown.com.au/Allergen/AllergenHome.htm.