The Food Hypersensitivity Area of Research Interest (ARI) aims to improve the quality of life for people living with food hypersensitivities and support them to make safe and informed choices to effectively manage risk. The ARI includes several key themes of work:
The major aims of this ARI include:
The work of this ARI helps inform policy so that food businesses can implement best practice in terms allergen information provision and practices in their kitchens, and to help food hypersensitive consumers make safe and informed choices when shopping and eating out of the home.
The EAT Data Analysis project was funded to further explore the EAT Study dataset. These analyses aimed to identify factors that were responsible for the relatively low adherence of approximately 43% to the study’s early introduction regime and the reasons for this.
The EAT Data Analysis project was funded to further explore the EAT Study dataset. These analyses aimed to explore of the efficacy of the EAT Study amongst infants at high risk of developing food allergy.
This project is revisiting the UK EuroPrevall birth cohort which involves reassessing the same cohort at 8-9 years as part of the larger iFAAM (Integrated Approaches to Food Allergen & Allergy Risk Management) project.
The main aim of this project is to undertake additional analyses using existing datasets generated from the FSA-funded Prevalence in Infant Food Allergy (PIFA) study. These analyses will then be used to produce a comprehensive peer reviewed publication on the incidence and risk factors associated with the development of food allergy in UK infants.
This study aims to find out the processes involved in the developing of an immune system that leads to the development of oral tolerance (as opposed to allergy) to peanuts.
Research tracking awareness EU Food Information for Consumers (FIC) allergen information regulations before and after they came into force in December 2014. The regulations concern how allergy information is displayed on prepackaged and loose food as well as how it is provided in restaurants, takeaways and all eating establishments.
This project aimed to investigate the public health risks posed by the levels of unintended allergens found to be present in foods sampled and tested as part of the FSA funded survey of allergen advisory labelling (project FS241038) using a quantitative risk assessment approach based on probabilistic principles.
This was a randomised cross-over trial that investigated whether common extrinsic factors, such as exercise and sleep deprivation can modulate the threshold of responses to allergenic foods in a representative group of adults from the peanut allergic population.
An online survey of young people (16-24-year-olds) and their experiences of managing a food allergy/intolerance
The EAT data analysis project was funded to further explore the EAT study dataset, by investigating whether the introduction of solids has an impact on sleep behaviour of infants. It was also to further understand the factors that impact on the ability of infants’ families to follow an early food introduction regime.
The joint project with Defra is needed to provide baseline evidence on the current UK food labelling and consumer information requirements ahead of the introduction of the forthcoming EU Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011.
Stage I of the study (completed August 2013) aimed to assess the current baseline level of allergen information provided for loose (not pre-packed) foods. Stage II of the study (completed March 2014) further explored the levels of understanding of the new requirements and the challenges businesses anticipate in complying with these.
This project aims to establish the role of IgG in the development of allergic sensitisation and reactions to foods.
Systematic Review C assesses the evidence available on the influence of dietary exposures during pregnancy, lactation and/or infancy.
Research was carried out to explore reactions towards new EU legislation relating to the labelling on products marketed to individuals who follow a gluten-free diet.
This research aimed to establish whether the diet of UK consumers with coeliac disease, is nutritionally adequate and whether there was a need for specific dietary advice or other strategies to ensure that these consumers can maintain a nutritionally adequate diet whilst avoiding gluten containing cereals
This research aimed to explore consumer, health professional and other relevant stakeholders’ understanding of the draft revised Government advice on peanut consumption during early life.
This systematic review assesses the evidence available on the influence of the timing of introduction of allergenic foods into the infant diet on the development of atopic and autoimmune disease, such as eczema, asthma and food allergy.
This project was carried out to explore understanding of the terms ‘lactose free’, ‘milk free’ and ‘dairy free’ among consumers with a sensitivity to milk or milk components, health professionals who advise such consumers and food businesses who provide products for these consumers.
This research reviewed all published scientific literature relevant to safe threshold amounts of gluten in foods in order to determine if it was possible to propose a threshold concentration of gluten in food products that would be tolerated by all people with coeliac disease.
This study aimed to find out whether abnormal skin barrier function predates and predicts food allergen sensitisation and whether the link between skin barrier function and food allergen sensitisation is driven by loss-of-function mutations in the FLG (Filaggrin) protein.
A review of the Food Intolerance Research Programme was held on 19 - 21 February 2008 at the Castle hotel in Windsor.
A review of the food allergy and intolerance research programme took place during 19-21 November 2012 at the De Vere hotel, Wokefield Park. The report is available.
Over 60 leading research scientists and clinicians with expertise in food allergy and relevant areas participated in the Adult Food Allergy Workshop which was held at the Royal Society, London.
A study of immunological mechanisms underlying the resolution of food allergy, specifically egg allergy, was undertaken to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of food allergy. It also allows for more accurate and improved advice to be provided by healthcare professionals to individuals with an egg allergy.