Detecting danger

Science World, Oct 11, 2004 by Jacqueline Adams

Your throat tightens. You can't breathe. For people allergic to nuts, exposure can be deadly.

Now, Florida scientists have developed sensitive tests that detect even tiny amounts of allergy-causing nut proteins (chemicals made of chains of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen) in foods.

Nuts can accidentally contaminate foods during processing. "Even extremely small quantities can trigger a fatal attack," explains Shridhar K. Sathe, a food scientist at Florida State University.

The test will help food manufacturers better label their products so that allergy sufferers can steer clear!