The Role of Food Additives and Chemicals in Food Allergy

Undeclared allergens continue to be the leading cause of food recalls in the United States [1]. It results from the failure to declare allergens in food labels, or accidental introduction of allergens in non-allergen foods or processing lines. Cross-contamination, which occurs when adjacent food processing lines are used in the processing of allergenic and non-allergenic foods, can also result in the introduction of allergens into non-allergen food processing lines. This paper reviews the role of chemicals and pollutants in the development of food allergies and provides recommendations on some of the strategies that can be explored further in controlling food allergens.