A team of British scientists, headed by Dr Claudio Nicoletti, at the Institute of Food Research team in Norwich believe they have identified a key molecule responsible for food allergies. The molecule Interleukin-12 (IL-12) was found to be absent in mice bred to be allergic to peanuts.

A specialist allergy practice in the ACT has reported that food allergies in Australian children (aged 0-5 years) referred to it have risen 12-fold since 1995, from 11 positive cases in 1995 to 138  in 2006. 

FACTA are pleased to offer all Allergen Bureau members a discount on attendance fees for their new series of Allergen Training Seminars in October 2007. Allergen training seminars are once more being held in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, with the addition of Adelaide for the first time. For more details please visit www.factaaustralia.com.au.

The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for soy in Europe should be two milligrams, says a European study from Switzerland, Denmark and Italy that was published in June this year.

Informa will be holding their 9th Annual Food Regulations Conference on 22nd – 23rd November 2007 at the Radisson Plaza, Sydney.

A review of nut allergies in the UK has indicated that allergy to cashew nut is becoming more common than previously reported, and the severity of the reaction to cashew nut is greater than peanut allergy.