• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.491-506
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• 2013

The allergenic food labeling system for 12 foods has been operated in Korean school food service since 2012. This study was conducted to evaluate the food allergy status of Korean elementary school children's and their parents' perceptions of allergenic food labeling system. The parents of school aged(6-9yr olds) children in Gyeongbuk area were recruited to assist in this survey. Surveys were conducted by 404 parents. The prevalence of food allergy was 18.1%(73 students) and about one-half of the food allergic children had a family history of allergies, in particular, maternal family history. The major symptoms were related to skin and the major allergenic foods were mackerel, eggs, milk, wheat, crab and tomatoes. The parents eliminated the allergenic food from diet of 43.8% of the children with food allergy. Participants had an average knowledge score of 68% correct. The average knowledge score was higher for parents with food allergic children than for parents with intact children(p<.05). Over 61% of the respondents were not satisfied with allergenic food labeling system operated in school food service. The requirements for the allergenic food labeling system were the front-of-package labeling, conspicuous description and insert of warning sign. The parents estimated that the most important effect of the allergenic food labeling system was the improvement of psychological and physical health in children with food allergy. Because the only prevention method for food allergy is the restriction of allergenic food, the institutional device to expand the food labeling to unpackaged food as well as packaged food and to make people trust the food labeling should be prepared.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.424-432
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Most consumers are able to recognize allergenic foods. However, the frequency of checking such foods is reportedly low, resulting in higher prevalence of food-related allergic reactions in Korea compared to other countries. Thus, this study was performed to investigate the overall perception of allergenic food labeling and its practice level in food manufacturing company employees. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The survey was administered to food safety employees and food development teams at food companies located in metropolitan areas. A total of 399 (93.8%) valid samples were used in the final analysis. Statistical analyses, including Frequency Analysis, t-test, Anova, PCA (Principal Component Analysis), and Pearson Correlation Analysis using SPSS ver. 21.0, were performed. RESULTS: The correct answer rate in the analysis of allergy-related knowledge level ranged from 15.0% to 89.7%. Analysis of differences in allergy-related perception by knowledge level showed significant differences in introduction of a food recall system, strengthening of relevant laws and regulations, content labeling, description of substitutional food, and differentiated package by age. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that labeling of allergenic foods should be made easier and more convenient for checking by employees, developers, and consumers, and it is necessary to provide contents through the development of publicity, guidelines, or APP along with labeling.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.521-531
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• 2016

This study was conducted to measure the prevalence of food allergies among kindergarten and elementary school children and their parents' perceptions of the Food Allergen Labeling System in school food service (FALSSFS). The surveys were conducted by the parents of children in Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. According to the results, the prevalence of food allergies among the children was 21.9% (current group 8.1% and experienced group 13.8%). The features of the food allergy of the children were as follows : The onset time of allergy was at 1-2 years for 59 children (40.7%), at 3-4 years for 41 children (28.3%), and the main symptoms of allergy were 'rash and skin hives' (47.1%) and 'itching' (30.2%). In terms of the family history, the prevalence of allergies among the mothers was the highest with a value of 31.9%. The allergenic foods were egg (14.7%), pork (11.6%), and milk (8.9%) in the order. Most of the parents had a low perception of the FALSSFS. 26.2% of the parents requested preventive education related to food allergies at school, making this the most requested item, followed by "helping students understand students with food allergies" with a value of 20.2%. The benefit of the FALSSFS was to increase the safety of school food and promote the emotional health of children with allergies.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.514-528
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• 2014

This study examined the actual state and future improvement of food allergies in adolescents and adults in order to prevent damage. In this survey, proportions of females, people in their 40s, college graduates, and office workers and housewives with allergies were higher than other groups. Exactly 41.1% of participants responded that they had experienced food allergies while 58.9% responded that they had not. According to their responses, the most common food allergy symptom involved the skin while whole-body allergic reactions were rare. Most respondents answered that frequency of their food allergies was two or three times. There was a variety of allergenic foods, including fast food, eggs, mackerel and milk, and instant food was ranked as the most allergenic food. Therefore, in order to protect consumers from damage caused by food allergens, the food allergen labeling system must be improved. A better food allergen labeling system should be implemented to avoid potential risks of allergic reactions and ensure national food safety.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 2013

The method for detection foods containing allergenic materials by PCR was developed in this study. To detect allergenic raw material from processed food, species specific primer which up to 200bp for PCR product were designed or selected from advanced research. As target materials, 14 items were selected (12 target materials for allergen in Korea, 2 target materials for allergen in foreign countries). The amplicon size for eggs, milk, buckwheat, peanuts, beans, wheat, mackerel, crab, shrimp, pork, peach, tomato, almond, and sesame were confirmed 281, 131, 138, 120, 118, 127, 211, 174, 231, 138, 174, 132, 103, and 220bp, respectively. And any non-specific bands were not detected among each others. Detection method for allergenic material developed in this study could be used to investigate inaccurate goods for allergen labeling or non-intentional contaminant during processed foods manufacturing. In addition, the system will be usefully to detection accurate allergenic raw materials of export for other countries.