To read food material labeling, it is important to understand cross-reactivity of IgE antibody

Abstract

Rationale Food material labeling rule was effective April 2002 in Japan. Twenty-four food materials must be labeled on package. Twenty-four food materials are following; hen egg, milk, wheat, buckwheat, peanut, bearded clam, calamari, salmon roe, shrimp, orange, crab, kiwifruit, beef, walnut, salmon, mackerel, soybean, chicken, pork, matsutake mushroom, peach, yam, apple, gelatin. However most of foods cross-react with much food with same protein sequence. We should recognize cross-reactivity among food materials. Methods 80 children with any food allergy to food mentioned above were enrolled. IgE cross-reactivity was measured by inhibition ELISA and inhibition immunoblotting methods among (a) hen egg and salmon roe, (b) salmon roe, herring roe and Pollack roe, (c) salmon and salmon roe, (d) yam, Irish potato and sweet potato, (e) peanut, almond and cashew nut. Results There is no cross-reactivity of specific IgE among hen egg and salmon roe. Cross-reactivity among fish roes, potatoes, nuts was observed. Conclusions Because cross-reactivity is present among much food, it is necessary to well understand the thing when we watches food labeling.