Chocolate wrappers could turn out fatal for a few

ANI
Monday, August 7, 2006

London, Aug 7 - Your favourite chocolate or ice cream
packaged attractively could lead you to your deathbed, as
researchers have revealed that latex packaging could be
deadly for those allergic to it.

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.

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.

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.

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