Improving the assessment and management of food allergen risks to protect people with food allergies
Task Force Information
Objectives
The Task Force aims at fostering an international evidence-based consensus on how to assess the risk from allergenic foods. Once identified the agreed method, the Task Force envisage developing tools to help manage the risks and protect all consumers.
Task Force Members
Simon Flanagan – Chair | Mondelēz International | Head of Speciality Analysis & Food Allergen Services | UK |
Neil Buck | General Mills | Global Toxicology and Ecotoxicology Expert | CH |
René Crevel - Interim Chair | René Crevel Consulting | Director at René Crevel Consulting | UK |
Stef Koppelman* | University of Nebraska | Courtesy professor (adjunct faculty) | US |
Federica Cattapan | Merieux NutriSciences | R&D Manager | IT |
Fleur de Mooij | Danone Nutricia Research | European Registered Toxicologist | NL |
Myrthe van den Dungen | DSM-Firmenich | Toxicologist | NL |
Si Wang | PepsiCo International | Senior Scientist | UK |
Geraldine Borja | ILSI Europe | Scientific Project Manager | BE |
* Scientific Advisors
Contact Information
For more detailed information, please contact Geraldine Borja at gborja@ilsieurope.be
Activity Overview
Ongoing
- Allergen Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA): The Development and Integration of Methodology to Link Emerging Tools with Risk Management Actions across the Supply Chain, including Precautionary Labelling
The expert group identified the methodological aspects that should be applied to allergen risk assessment within complex supply chains in real food production situations. The current focus of
the group is to create a Community of Practice (CoP) and a user-friendly guideline to assist various stakeholders in implementing QRA.
Start date: June 2023 | End date: December 2024
- Allergenicity Assessment of New Protein- Containing Sources and Ingrendients
An Expert Group on the allergenicity of novel proteins aims to facilitate the introduction of novel protein sources by promoting the tools for clearer regulatory environment, supported by better alignment between scientific test methodologies and risk management objectives. The current focus of the group is to disseminate their findings at events and developing webinars.
Start date: November 2019 | End date: July 2024
In the pipeline
- Define Barriers and Levers for the Effective Regulation of Precautonary Allergen Labelling (PAL)
Activity on barriers and levers for the effective regulation of Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL). The primary objective is to identify gaps that hinder the effective regulation of PAL and determine them necessary actions to address them. The ultimate goal is to establish a more uniform approach to PAL-related decisions.
Expected kick-off: Q4 2024
Expert Groups
Allergen Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA): The Development and Integration of Methodology to Link Emerging Tools with Risk Management Actions across the Supply Chain, including Precautionary Labelling
Background and Objectives
There is a growing global interest in integrating risk assessment as a part of allergen management, particularly for decisions on precautionary allergen labelling (PAL). This project developed a guidance on the methodologies needed for quantitative risk assessment and is currently adapting this document into a user friendly guidance for target audiences.
Output
After the publication of the Practical Guidance on the Application of Food Allergen Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) in 2022, the Expert Group has been actively disseminating this document at various events and offering specialised training.
In 2023, the group launched a Community of Practice (CoP) offering a unique opportunity to connect with a global network. Currently counting 158 members, the CoP brings together diverse stakeholders from across the globe, facilitating rich exchanges on overcoming barriers and sharing best practices through discussions and multi-stakeholder workshops. The group is now developing a user-friendly guide to help stakeholders apply the QRA guidance with ease.
Expert Group Members
Michael Walker – Co-Chair | Laboratory of theGovernment Chemist (LGC) | Honorary Professor | UK |
Marjan van Ravenhorst | Allergen Consultancy | Consultant | NL |
Neil Buck | General Mills | Corporate Toxicologist | CH |
René Crevel | René Crevel Consulting | Director at René Crevel Consulting | UK |
Simon Flanagan | Mondelēz International | Head of Speciality Analysis & Food Allergen Services | UK |
Marty Blom | TNO | Food Allergy Assessor | NL |
Allergenicity Assessment of New Protein-Containing Sources and Ingredients
Background and Objectives
The introduction of novel food products could expose the population to new dietary proteins. Assessing the potential allergenicity of these proteins is essential to their safe introduction, but remains a challenge.The activity is focusing on establishing the way different types of methodologies can be deployed to achieve a quantitative or semi-quantitative assessment of the risk posed by protein sources. The recently developed Adverse Outcome Pathway, for IgE-mediated sensitisation in particular, is considered.
Output
The aim of this activity is to facilitate the introduction of novel protein sources by promoting the tools for a clearer regulatory environment, supported by better alignment between scientific test methodologies and risk management objectives. The outcome of the Expert Group could be a toolbox for all involved in the risk assessment process for novel foods and ingredients, and should include how best to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders.
Expert Group Members
René Crevel | René Crevel Consulting | Director at René Crevel Consulting | UK |
Harry Wichers – Co-Chair | Wageningen University | Professor | NL |
Neil Buck | General Mills | Corporate Toxicologist | CH |
Aouatif Chentouf | Roquette Group | Global Toxicology and Ecotoxicology Expert | FR |
Simon Flanagan | Mondelēz International | Head of Speciality Analysis & Food Allergen Services | UK |
Melina Galano | DSM | Senior Regulatory Toxicologist | NL |
Jossie Garthoff | Danone Nutricia Research | Food Safety Scientific Affairs Project Leader | NL |
Stéphane Hazebrouck | UMR CEA-INRA | Researcher | FR |
Geert Houben | The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research – TNO | Principal Scientist | NL |
Bushra Javed | University of Manchester | Researcher | UK |
Katrine Lindholm Bøgh | Technical University of Denmark | Head of Research Group | DK |
Kitty Verhoeckx | University Medical Center Utrecht | Scientist | NL |
Chiara Nitride | University of Naples "Federico II" | Researcher | IT |
Ross Yarham | Indoor Biotechnologies | Research Associate/Research Group Manager | UK |
Define Barriers and Levers for the Effective Regulation of Precautonary Allergen Labelling (PAL)
Background and Objectives
In most jurisdictions, allergenic ingredient labeling is regulated, but precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) remains voluntary. This lack of standardization leads to inconsistent PAL application. This EG aims to identify barriers and opportunities for effective PAL regulation, benefiting both Food Business Operators and Regulatory Agencies:
- Conduct a literature review to Identify the current global regulatory framework for PAL statements (including FARRP databases).
- Conduct interviews with a range of Regulatory Agencies to ascertain current regulatory risk management strategies as well as an inventory of interpretations against country / region specific regulations.
Output
This activity will result in a peer-reviewed publication and potentially a “Black & White” report (practical guidance).
Expert Group Members
René Crevel | René Crevel Consulting | UK |
Simon Flanagan | Mondelēz International | UK |
Fleur de Mooij | Danone Nutricia Research | NL |
Si Wang | Danone Nutricia Research | NL |
Publications
A to Z
Can We Determine a Threshold Level for Allergenic Foods by Statistical Analysis of Published Data in the Literature? Statistical Models for Food Allergenicity Testing
2002
Criteria for Identifying Allergenic Foods of Public Health Importance
2008
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2008;51:42-52.
Evaluation of Scientific Criteria for Identifying Allergenic Foods of Public Health Importance
2011
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 2011;60:281-289. Commissioned by the ILSI Europe Food Allergy Task Force.
Food Allergy
2003
ILSI Europe Concise Monograph.
Food Processing and Allergenicity
2015
Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2015;80:223-240. Commissioned by the Food Allergy Task Force