September 27, 2015 SPSFAM Meeting - Meeting Book

Significance • Over 150 million people worldwide suffer from a food allergy.  Around 1‐4 % of the overall population and 5‐7 % of infants suffer  from food allergies. – Food allergy statistics in North America:

• ~8% of children • 3.7% of adults • … and rising

• The cure? – There is none!  The only solution is to avoid  consumption of the allergen. – Deal with anaphylaxis in a reactive way  (epinephrine injection)

• R ll t Significance eca s – a ergens are e s ng e arges cause  of food recalls. ll th i l l

• Business – $10B gluten‐free food market.

• As a result, accurate food labeling for allergens is  extremely important and requires analysis.