Endogenous Allergenicity Patient s perspective. Sabine Schnadt German Allergy and Asthma Association 23. November 2016, Parma

Transcription

1 Endogenous Allergenicity Patient s perspective Sabine Schnadt German Allergy and Asthma Association 23. November 2016, Parma

2 contents Background Living with food allergy Risk assessment from patients / consumers perspective Endogenous allergenicity risk assessment in GMO plants

3 Living with food allergie(s) 15 Million people affected in the EU Currently there is no cure for food allergy Living with food allergies = Avoidance of identified allergen(s) Consumers with food allergies must be able to identify the substances they are allergic to Impact of food allergies Constant vigilance (cannot avoid eating; always have to explain & enquire) Health: symptoms from mild to severe; allergic reactions to food can be life threatening Nutrition: Avoidance can lead to deficienc deficiency in nutrientsupply and malnutrition (depending on allergen) Quality of life: impairment of social life; can lead to isolation

4 Risk assessment from patient/ consumer perspective Based on: Expert advice Recommendations given by physician/allergist, dietitian, PO Patient experience According to unintended/ accidental or intended consumption Patient perceptions Might not always be according to evidence e.g. taking chances by eating food products with PAL vs. avoiding refined oil or trying to uncover every source for possible allergen occurrence also resulting from lack of access to expert advice

5 Endogenous allergenicity risk assessment in GMO plants from patients perspective Risk assessment of endogenous allergenicity does make sense from patients perspective Food allergen avoidance is not always complete in patients, therefore the change of the allergenic profile of a GMO plant already known as an allergen may have health impact e.g. If a current minor allergen is increased in a GM plant, resulting in a larger accessibility of this allergen, this might be followed by unexpected exposure and development of clinical symptoms. It may even lead to more sensitization Allergenicity might also be reduced in GMO-plants already known as allergens - assessment is helpful to allergic consumers

6 Endogenous allergenicity risk assessment in GMO plants from patients perspective Serum IgE antibodies does not automatically mean clinical relevant allergy but only sensitization (unnecessary) restrictions in food choice are a major issue for patients with food allergies clinical relevance should be the basis for the assessment of endogenous allergenicity

7 Endogenous allergenicity risk assessment in GMO plants from patients perspective To this end, EFSA (2011) and Codex Alimentarius (2003, 2009) foresee the assessment of endogenous allergenicity when the plant receiving the new gene(s) is known to be allergenic. Patients perspective: The Focus should not only be on allergens mentioned in Annex II. Other plants that are already known to be allergenic, but are not listed for mandatory labelling may be affected as well and become more relevant by changes in the allergen profile.

8 Endogenous allergenicity risk assessment in GMO plants from patients perspective For judgement of clinical relevance clinicians, dietitians and Patient organizations can give advice and feedback Information is key to patients/ consumers with food allergies This could also be used vice versa by including clinicians and patients/ patient organizations in monitoring and evaluation

9 Sabine Schnadt German Allergy and Asthma Association