Lee Jeongmin, Kim Sohyeon, Jeong Kyunguk, Koo Jun Hyuk, Lee Sooyoung
Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
Maeil Innovation Center, Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd., Pyeongtaek, Korea.
J Korean Med Sci. 2024 Dec 16;39(48):e307. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e307.
Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is mandatory and legally regulated in Korea. This study aims to investigate the frequency of PAL use in food products, evaluate its competence, and seek direction for improvement.
Cow's milk (CM) and hen's egg white (EW) protein concentrations were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results validated PAL using the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labeling 3.0 program. A survey was conducted on guardians to compare preferences and understanding of the current and the arbitrarily revised PAL.
PAL was used in 91.8% (280/305) of baby food products. ELISA results using randomly selected baby food products showed that only 16.7% (5/30; No PAL with no contamination, n = 4; PAL with real-contamination risk, n = 1) were validated to PAL. A detectable CM was found in two products (2/26, 7.7%), with one product exceeding the reference dose (10.3 ± 0.17 ppm). EW was not detected at all (0/16). A total of 207 surveys from guardians were collected and categorized into three groups: food allergy (FA, n = 103), diseases other than food allergies (Others, n = 52), and no disease (Control, n = 52). The FA group exhibited the highest frequency of checking food allergen labeling ("always": 78.6%, "often": 9.7%), with a similar PAL adherence ("always": 58.3%, "often": 10.4%). None of the groups were satisfied with the current PAL. The 'allergen-free' statement was mostly preferred across all groups. The FA group notably preferred PAL with concentration statements.
PAL is excessively prevalent and insufficient in ensuring the safety of children with FAs, necessitating a revision towards a more patient-friendly, evidence-based system for affected individuals and their families.
预防性过敏原标签（PAL）在韩国是强制性且受法律监管的。本研究旨在调查食品中PAL的使用频率，评估其有效性，并寻求改进方向。
采用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）测量牛奶（CM）和蛋清（EW）蛋白浓度。结果使用自愿性偶然微量过敏原标签3.0程序验证PAL。对监护人进行调查，以比较他们对当前和任意修订的PAL的偏好和理解。
91.8%（280/305）的婴儿食品使用了PAL。对随机选择的婴儿食品进行ELISA检测结果显示，只有16.7%（5/30；无PAL且无污染，n = 4；有实际污染风险的PAL，n = 1）符合PAL标准。在两种产品中检测到可检测的CM（2/26，7.7%），其中一种产品超过参考剂量（10.3±0.17 ppm）。未检测到EW（0/16）。共收集了207份监护人的调查问卷，并分为三组：食物过敏（FA，n = 103）、食物过敏以外的疾病（其他，n = 52）和无疾病（对照组，n = 52）。FA组检查食品过敏原标签的频率最高（“总是”：78.6%，“经常”：9.7%），PAL依从性也相似（“总是”：58.3%，“经常”：10.4%）。所有组对当前的PAL都不满意。所有组中大多首选“无过敏原”声明。FA组尤其喜欢带有浓度声明的PAL。
PAL在确保食物过敏儿童安全方面过度普遍且不足，需要朝着为受影响个体及其家庭建立一个更方便患者、基于证据的系统进行修订。
