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Article: Real-time PCR assays detect peanut allergen residue in processed products.
- Article from:
- Emerging Food R&D Report
- Article date:
- February 1, 2009
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 Food Technology Intelligence, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Hypersensitivity to peanuts--an allergic reaction to peanuts that is triggered by the immune system--is a public health problem, since the ingestion of even a low amount of peanut can trigger severe allergic reactions. Peanut allergy may appear in the first years of life. While many children outgrow allergies to other foods, such as milk or eggs, most youngsters don't outgrow peanut allergy as they get older.
An allergic reaction to peanuts can range from a minor irritation to a life-threatening reaction--anaphylaxis, which is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention. Even people who have only had a mild reaction in the past are ...