Celery Allergens

Introduction

Celery, a versatile and nutritious vegetable, has found its way into various cuisines around the world. However, for some individuals, this seemingly harmless vegetable can trigger allergic reactions, leading to discomfort and health concerns. In this blog, we will delve into the world of celery allergens, exploring what causes the allergies, common symptoms, and ways to manage and avoid potential reactions. Celery allergens can be present in various foods, either as a primary ingredient or due to cross-contamination during processing. Some common foods where celery allergens may be found include:

Soups and Broths: Celery is a common ingredient in many soup and broth recipes, especially in vegetable-based soups.
Salads: Celery is a popular ingredient in salads, such as Waldorf salad or tuna salad.
Stews and Casseroles: Some stews and casseroles may contain celery as part of the flavor profile.
Stuffing/Dressing: Celery is often included in stuffing or dressing recipes, particularly for holiday meals.
Stir-Fries: Celery is a frequent addition to stir-fries and Asian-inspired dishes.
Snack Foods: Some snack foods, like vegetable chips or vegetable-based snacks, may contain celery.
Processed Foods: Celery may be used as an ingredient in various processed foods, including canned soups, sauces, and ready-to-eat meals.
Bouillon and Seasoning Mixes: Celery may be present in some bouillon cubes or seasoning mixes used for flavoring.
Vegetable Juices: Certain vegetable juices and blends may include celery as one of the ingredients.
Vegetarian and Vegan Products: In vegetarian and vegan products, celery may be used for flavor and texture enhancement.
Pickles and Relishes: Some types of pickles and relishes may contain celery as part of the recipe.
Prepared Salads: Deli-style salads, like coleslaw or potato salad, might have celery as one of the ingredients.

What Causes Celery Allergies?

Celery allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins in celery as harmful invaders. The primary culprits behind celery allergies are the allergenic proteins, such as Api g 1, Api g 4, and Api g 5, which trigger an immune response in sensitive individuals. Interestingly, these proteins are also present in other plant foods like carrots, birch pollen, and mugwort, leading to cross-reactivity in some cases.

Common Symptoms of Celery Allergies

Skin Reactions: Individuals with celery allergies may experience skin symptoms, such as hives, redness, itching, or eczema, upon contact or ingestion of celery.

Gastrointestinal Distress: Allergic reactions to celery can manifest as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Respiratory Issues: Celery allergy may also cause respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, or even asthma-like symptoms.

Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS): OAS is a common condition in which the proteins in celery cross-react with similar proteins in other fruits and vegetables, leading to tingling or itching sensations in the mouth and throat.

Anaphylaxis: In severe cases, celery allergies can trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.

Importance of testing

Testing for celery allergens in food is of paramount importance for several reasons:

Importance	Description
Allergy Management	Testing allows allergic individuals to make informed choices and avoid allergen exposure.
Allergen Labeling Compliance	Ensures compliance with regulations to provide clear information on product labels.
Cross-Contamination Prevention	Identifies potential cross-contamination issues, reducing the risk of allergen exposure.
Safety for Allergic Consumers	Reduces the likelihood of severe allergic reactions and promotes consumer safety.
Avoiding Oral Allergy Syndrome	Helps identify cross-reactive proteins and suggests suitable substitutions for allergies.
Food Allergy Research	Contributes data on the prevalence and impact of celery allergies for better understanding.
Ingredient Substitution	Enables the development of allergen-free or low-allergen alternatives for consumers.
Boosting Consumer Confidence	Builds transparency and trust between consumers and food producers, enhancing confidence.

Market overview

The Allergen Testing Market, with a value of USD 806.08 Million in 2021, is anticipated to reach USD 1,346.30 Million by 2030. This market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.96% from 2023 to 2030.

Regulations and standards

In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates the labelling of celery allergens. The FSSAI's Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, require that celery be declared on food labels if it is an ingredient, either by itself or in a food additive.

The specific requirements for the labelling of celery allergens in India are as follows:

Celery must be declared on the food label in the following way:

If celery is an ingredient, it must be listed in the ingredient list in its own right.
If celery is a minor ingredient, it may be listed in the ingredient list as "spices" or "flavourings". However, if celery is an allergen, it must be listed separately in the ingredient list.
Celery-containing ingredients must also be declared on the label. For example, if celery juice is used as an ingredient, it must be listed as "celery juice" on the label.
Celery must also be declared on the label if it is present in a food as a result of cross-contact. This can happen when celery is processed in the same facility as other foods, or when celery is used as an ingredient in a food additive.

The FSSAI also requires that food businesses provide clear and accurate information about celery allergens on their websites and in their marketing materials.

Testing methods

Testing methods for celery allergens are essential to accurately identify the presence of allergenic proteins in food products. Several methods are used to detect and quantify celery allergens, and here are some commonly employed techniques:

Testing Method	Description
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)	A widely used method involving specific antibodies that bind to celery allergens. A color change or fluorescence signal indicates the presence and quantity of allergens in the sample.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)	A molecular biology technique that detects specific DNA sequences characteristic of celery allergens. It can identify even trace amounts of celery DNA in food products, providing information about potential cross-contamination.
Real-Time PCR (qPCR)	An advanced version of PCR that allows real-time monitoring of the amplification process. It provides quantitative data, enabling accurate determination of the amount of celery allergens in a sample.
Mass Spectrometry	An analytical technique that detects and identifies allergenic proteins based on their mass and charge properties. It provides high specificity and sensitivity and is useful for detecting multiple allergens simultaneously.
Western Blotting	A technique used to separate and identify proteins in a sample. It involves electrophoresis to separate the proteins based on size and then transferring them to a membrane. Specific antibodies are used to detect celery allergens on the membrane.
Immunoblotting	Similar to Western blotting, it uses antibodies to detect celery allergens. It is useful for identifying individual allergenic proteins and cross-reactive proteins present in celery.
Multiplex Assays	Allows the simultaneous detection of multiple allergenic proteins in a single sample. These techniques can be time-saving and cost-effective when analyzing various allergens at once.
Biosensors	Devices that use biological molecules to detect specific substances. They can be adapted to detect celery allergens in food samples, providing rapid and on-site testing.

Eurofins role in testing Celery Allergens

Eurofins Scientific is a global leader in providing testing, analytical, and advisory services to various industries, including the food industry. Eurofins offers comprehensive food allergen testing services, including testing for celery allergens. Here's an overview of Eurofins' role in testing celery allergens:

Analytical Testing Services: Eurofins provides advanced and reliable analytical testing services to detect and quantify allergenic proteins, including those present in celery. They use state-of-the-art testing methods, such as ELISA, PCR, mass spectrometry, and other advanced techniques, to identify and measure allergens accurately.

Allergen Proficiency Testing: Eurofins participates in allergen proficiency testing schemes, ensuring the accuracy and proficiency of their allergen testing methodologies. This helps maintain high standards and provides confidence in the reliability of their results.

Food Safety and Compliance: Eurofins assists food manufacturers and producers in complying with allergen labelling regulations. By accurately detecting celery allergens in food products, they help ensure proper allergen labelling, reducing the risk of unintentional exposure for consumers with celery allergies.

Quality Assurance and Control: Eurofins' allergen testing services help food companies maintain quality assurance and control processes in their manufacturing facilities. By identifying potential cross-contamination issues, they support efforts to prevent allergen-related recalls and ensure the safety of food products.

Research and Development Support: Eurofins supports food industry research and development efforts by providing allergen testing services during the formulation of new products. This allows companies to create allergen-free or low-allergen alternatives to cater to consumers with specific dietary requirements.

On-Site and Third-Party Testing: Eurofins offers on-site testing services as well as third-party testing at their accredited laboratories. This flexibility allows food companies to choose the most suitable testing option based on their needs.

Eurofins Analytical Services India, located in Bangalore, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving recognition from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program. This makes Eurofins the first laboratory in Asia to receive such recognition.

References

Dubiela, P., Humeniuk, P., Bublin, M., Metz-Favre, C., Viel, S., Bienvenu, F., Hafner, C., Pauli, G., & Hoffmann-Sommergruber, K. (2022). Two patients with allergy to celery — Possible role of carbohydrate determinants and difference between seeds and tuber allergenicity. The World Allergy Organization Journal, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.waojou.2022.100708https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275585191_Prediction_of_the_effect_of_fine_grit_on_the_MLVSSMLSS_ratio_of_activated_sludge
https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/food-allergen-testing-market/