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reactions (see chapter 14). Indeed, this is very likely because both HIDDEN DANGER soy allergens and saponins (an antinutrient discussed in chapter People allergic to soy protein face constant danger. Hidden soy 15) can damage the intestines. exists in thousands of everyday foods, cosmetics and industrial Histamine toxicity can also resemble allergic reactions. In products such as inks, cardboards, paints, cars and mattresses. allergic persons, mast cells release histamine, causing a response — The four Swedish fatalities are only the best known of thousands that strongly resembles an allergic reaction to food. In cases of _ of reported cases of people who experienced severe allergic reac- histamine toxicity, the histamine comes ready-made in the food. tions to soy after inadvertently eating foods that contained soy- This is most often associated with reactions to cheese and fish, but bean proteins.*** soy sauce also contains high levels of histamine. Researchers Of 659 food products recalled by the FDA in 1999, 236 (36 per who have calculated the histamine content of foods consumed at a cent) were taken off the market because of undeclared allergens. typical oriental meal report The three factors responsible for that histamine intake may eas- the undeclared allergens were: ily approach toxic levels." omissions and errors on labels yap PAR E NT WAR N l NG ! (51 per cent), cross contamina- PROCESSING MATTERS tion of manufacturing equip- The way that the soybean is HIDDEN SOY — HIDDEN SOY ALLERGIES ment (40 per cent), and errors grown, harvested, processed, made by suppliers of ingredi- stored and prepared in the ao . ents (five per cent). It wasn't kitchen can affect its aller- If your child is allergic to peanuts, you must inspectors, however, but genicity. Raw soybeans are eliminate all soy as well as all peanuts from your ticked-off US consumers who the most allergenic, while old- child's diet. Your child's life may depend upon fingered 56 per cent of the fashioned fermented products it. undeclared allergens.” (miso, tempeh, natto, shoyu Take care, even if your child has never reacted During 2002, the Canadian and tamari) are the least. Modern soy protein products processed by heat, pressure and chemical solvents lose Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which takes soy aller- gies seriously, recalled bagels, doughnuts, rolls, pizza and poorly to soy in the past. Some sensitive chil- dren have "hidden" soy allergies that manifest for the first time with a severe—even fatal—reaction some of their allergenicity, but to even the low levels of "hidden" soy common- other items containing unde- not all. Partially hydrolysed ly found in processed food products. Those at clared soy protein.* Although proteins and soy sprouts, the highest risk suffer from asthma as well as agencies in many countries which are quickly or minimal- peanut allergy. claim to be stepping up efforts Other risk factors are other food allergies, a to enforce labelling _ laws, family history of peanut or soy allergies, a diag- enforcement airealt even nosis of asthma, rhinitis or eczema, or a family pinen ou reras max’ a prior A q ity. The chief problem is that history of these diseases. few methods reliably detect and The industry newsletter, The Soy Connection, states that highly refined oils and lecithin "are safe for the soy- quantify minute amounts of allergic consumer". (Source: Letter from Ingrid Malmheden Yman, allergens in foods.” Unfortunately, many aller- PhD, Senior Chemist, Sweden National Food Even when soy-containing gic persons who have trusted Administration, to the New Zealand Ministry of ingredients are accurately listed such reassurances have ended Health, 30 May 1997) on food labels, consumers may up in the hospital. Highly sus- easily miss the soy connection. ceptible people cannot use A 2002 study of 91 parents of either safely. Adverse reactions children allergic to peanuts, to soy oils—taken either by mouth as food or via tube-feeding— — milk, egg, soy, and/or wheat revealed that most parents failed to range from the nuisance of sneezing to the life-threatening danger identify allergenic food ingredients correctly, and that milk and of anaphylactic shock.*! soy presented the most problems. Only 22 per cent of the parents If soy oil and lecithin were 100 per cent free of soy protein, with soy allergies correctly identified soy protein in seven they would not provoke allergic symptoms. Variable conditions products. The researchers concluded, "These results strongly and the quality control and processing methods used when the support the need for improved labelling with plain-English vegetable oil industry separates soybean protein from the oil make terminology and allergen warnings as well as the need for diligent the presence of at least trace amounts of soy protein possible, education of patients reading labels". even likely. Though healthier in many respects, the cold-pressed soy oils sold in health food stores can be deadly for the allergic © CLEARING THE AIR consumer. They may contain as much as 100 times the amount of Allergic reactions occur not only when soy is eaten but when trace protein found in the highly refined soy oils sold in soybean flour or dust is inhaled. Among epidemiologists, soy- supermarkets.*** bean dust is known as an "epidemic asthma agent". From 1981 to Soy protein is likely to appear in margarine. Above and beyond 1987, soy dust from grain silo unloading in the harbour of any stray protein that remains after the processing of the soy oil, Barcelona, Spain, caused 26 epidemics of asthma, seriously jeop- soy protein isolates or concentrates are commonly used by food ardising the health of 687 people and leading to 1,155 hospitalisa- manufacturers to improve the texture or spreadability of these tions. No further epidemics occurred after filters were installed, products. This occurs most often in low-fat or "low trans" but a minor outbreak in 1994 established the need for diligent products (see chapter 6). monitoring of preventive measures." If your child is allergic to peanuts, you must eliminate all soy as well as all peanuts from your child's diet. Your child's life may depend upon it. Take care, even if your child has never reacted poorly to soy in the past. Some sensitive chil- dren have "hidden" soy allergies that manifest for the first time with a severe—even fatal—reaction to even the low levels of "hidden" soy common- ly found in processed food products. Those at the highest risk suffer from asthma as well as peanut allergy. Other risk factors are other food allergies, a family history of peanut or soy allergies, a diag- nosis of asthma, rhinitis or eczema, or a family history of these diseases. CLEARING THE AIR Allergic reactions occur not only when soy is eaten but when soybean flour or dust is inhaled. Among epidemiologists, soy- bean dust is known as an "epidemic asthma agent". From 1981 to 1987, soy dust from grain silo unloading in the harbour of Barcelona, Spain, caused 26 epidemics of asthma, seriously jeop- ardising the health of 687 people and leading to 1,155 hospitalisa- tions. No further epidemics occurred after filters were installed, but a minor outbreak in 1994 established the need for diligent monitoring of preventive measures." NEXUS + 27 HIDDEN DANGER PARENT WARNING! HIDDEN SOY — HIDDEN SOY ALLERGIES AUGUST — SEPTEMBER 2004 www.nexusmagazine.com