What is an allergen? Allergens are proteins that trigger an immune response by certain people. Responses range from relatively mild symptoms, such as developing a rash, to severe reactions involving respiratory and circulatory problems that in extreme cases can cause death. It has been estimated that approximately 2% of adults and 5% of young children are allergic to some type of food.
Theoretically, almost any protein in a food could be allergenic. However, there are eight foods that account for almost 90% of the allergic reactions in adults. These are often referred to as the Big 8 Allergens; milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. These allergens are obviously a foe to anyone who is allergic to them. However, if properly labeled and controlled, they can be a friend to meat processors enabling them to produce specialty products that a majority of consumers can enjoy.