A Snapshot on Food Allergies: A Case Study on Edible Flowers

Massimo Lucarini, Andrea Copetta, Alessandra Durazzo, Paolo Gabrielli, Ginevra Lombardi-Boccia, Elisabetta Lupotto, Antonello Santini and Barbara Ruffoni
Additional contact information
Massimo Lucarini: CREA-Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Andrea Copetta: CREA-Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy
Alessandra Durazzo: CREA-Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Paolo Gabrielli: CREA-Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Ginevra Lombardi-Boccia: CREA-Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Elisabetta Lupotto: CREA-Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
Antonello Santini: Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Barbara Ruffoni: CREA-Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Corso Inglesi 508, 18038 Sanremo, Italy

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-24

Abstract: This perspective study addresses the main causes of adverse reactions to foods in humans, by taking into account the main allergic reactions that may occur as a result of food ingestion, as well the main allergens present in food and how their allergenicity change as a result of food preparation. In addition, European legislation on food labeling and novel foods was taken into account. The case study of this perspective is on the potential allergenicity of edible flowers as well as evidence of phytochemistry and toxic compounds and the risk associated with their ingestion. Regarding edible flowers, a key issue to address is if they are safe to consume or not. In the framework of the project “Innovative activities for the development of the cross-border supply chain of the edible flower” (ANTEA), we considered 62 different species and varieties of edible flowers. The results obtained by consulting two databases on allergens, COMPRISE and Allergen Nomenclature, marked two alerts for two species of edible flowers selected in the project. Moreover, based on edible flower consumption, about ten grams per serving, and on their protein content, we can also state that the risk of allergic reactions due to edible flower ingestion is very low.

Keywords: food allergy; allergens; allergic symptoms and syndromes; cross-contamination; cross-reactivity; safety; edible flowers; ANTEA project (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8709-:d:431998

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