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Deadly Latex Evading Lax Food Labelling Laws

Date:
August 9, 2006
Source:
Society of Chemical Industry
Summary:
A study funded by the Food Standards Agency investigating levels of latex present in packaging materials, and the transfer of allergens onto food. One third of the packaging tested contained latex, which can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, ranging from a skin rash to anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. Chocolate wrappers and ice cream packaging had the highest levels of latex. There is currently no legislation in the U.K. using warning labels on potentially contaminated food.
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Food packaging containing latex should be labeled to avoid the possibility of sensitive individuals being exposed to potentially deadly levels of the allergen, experts told C&I. A recent UK study revealed that one third of food packaging tested was contaminated with latex. The latex was transferred to food in some cases. In one unnamed chocolate biscuit, the amount of latex found was 20 times the level that instigates a reaction.

A group of experts from the UK Latex Allergy Support Group (LASG) Advisory Panel said that these results were significant. 'For a few people, natural rubber latex is a very potent allergen and for these individuals, there is no safe level of exposure,' says LASG representative Graham Lowe. 'We would welcome an approach to the EU to consider this evidence and the issue of labelling,' he said. Lowe added that latex transfer to food could account for some currently inexplicable reactions.

There is no agreement on a safe level of latex, but it has been reported that a billionth of a gram (1ng/ml) can be enough to cause a reaction. Currently manufacturers are not required to label food packaging as containing latex.

Scientists at Leatherhead Food International measured the presence of four major latex allergens in 21 types of food packaging for confectionary, fruit and vegetable produce, meat, pastry and dairy products. A third of the materials tested gave positive results for the presence of latex and in some cases this was transferred onto the food (Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture DOI 10/1002/jsfa.2580).

The highest levels of latex allergens were found in a chocolate biscuit containing nearly 20ng/ml. The wrapper contained 85ng/ml of latex. The highest levels in packaging was detected in ice cream wrappers, with over 370ng/ml found in one sample. The ice cream itself contained around 14ng/ml. One company admitted spraying whole wrappers with latex adhesive, so that they could be sealed with minimum wastage.

A spokesperson for the Food Standards Agency, which funded this study, said food-labelling guidelines were designed to avoid restriction of choice due to excess use of warning labels. 'Advisory labeling should only be used when, following a thorough risk assessment, there is a real risk of allergic reactions,' they said.

The Leatherhead study is the first attempt to quantify the latex allergens present in food contact materials and also in foods.

Between 1-6% of the British population suffer from latex allergies. Latex is used in many food packaging materials, including rubber bands, meat netting, stickers found on some fruit and vegetables and the adhesive used for cold sealing of confectionary.


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Materials provided by Society of Chemical Industry. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Society of Chemical Industry. "Deadly Latex Evading Lax Food Labelling Laws." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 9 August 2006. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060809083433.htm>.
Society of Chemical Industry. (2006, August 9). Deadly Latex Evading Lax Food Labelling Laws. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060809083433.htm
Society of Chemical Industry. "Deadly Latex Evading Lax Food Labelling Laws." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060809083433.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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