What are allergens?

There are many different types of allergens, where individuals with an allergy or intolerance cannot tolerate one or more of these allergens.

Allergens are proteins in food. The protein can cause an allergic reaction, ranging from mild to severe symptoms, including skin rash, abdominal pain, to anaphylactic shock.

On food products sold in the Netherlands (and many countries world wide), the manufacturer is obligated to indicate which of the following allergens are present in the product:

• gluten-containing cereals, peanuts, nuts, soy, milk (milk protein) including lactose (milk sugar), celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulfite, lupine, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

If you have an allergic reaction or develop one to food, it may be that you cannot tolerate more than that specific product. Cross-allergies may exist for food. An example is an allergic reaction to cow's milk; there is often an allergy to goat's milk as well, as these products contain the same protein.

Consult your general practitioner, allergist, and/or dietitian to be well-informed about allergens and food allergies and intolerances.