Previously on this blog, we have talked about the potential allergy risks associated with a legume called lupin. Lupin is in the same family as peanuts, and is often used as a substitute for flour for gluten-free products.
In that post, we talked about how government institutions like the Center for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were starting to raise awareness of the product and the potential harms for allergy sufferers. Lupin has been common in European foods for years, but is now making its way to the United States full-force. The problem is that many people who have peanut allergies are unaware that lupin is in the same family and may cause similar allergic reactions.
According to Dr. David Stukus, who works with the Allergist, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, "I'm a board certified allergist and immunologist and I wasn't aware of the allergenicity of lupin until recently. So, I think that most Americans and most people with other type of food allergy may not be aware of this." Stukus says the risk is very serious for some people. "There are case reports of people having severe life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to lupin. Both people who have a history of pre-existing peanut allergy and others who are eating peanut just fine."
The FDA is now issuing an official warning regarding the product. Representatives have said that the growth of the gluten-free market will mean an influx of lupin-based products which could prove problematic for those who have nut allergies. For now, the organization says, the best practice is to read labels thoroughly and avoid products that list lupin as an ingredient if you have a nut or legume allergy.
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