Soya products can trigger serious allergic reactions in birch pollen allergy sufferers

Soya protein is a common food in Europe. It may be contained in various products: in beverages, sauces or added to various foods. Hence adults consume on average small amounts of soya protein daily without knowing it. Exact consumption amounts are not known. Some consumers intentionally consume large amounts of soya which is said to have a favourable impact on health. However, soya can also trigger allergies; one special form is the pollen-associated food allergy. In the case of this cross-allergy consumers with a birch pollen allergy suffer allergic reactions of varying degrees of severity when they consume soya products. They range from the “oral allergy syndrome” like itching, swollen lips or swelling in the oropharynx down to anaphylactic shock which, in extreme cases, can lead to circulatory arrest. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has assessed the risk of cross allergies between birch pollen and soya. 
 
The only way of protecting birch pollen allergy sufferers from a possible allergic reaction from eating soya is to forgo the food that triggers the allergy. As all foods to which soya has been admixed must be labelled, BfR is of the opinion that additional, mandatory warnings for birch pollen allergy sufferers are not needed on soya products.  
 
BfR recommends raising awareness amongst pollen allergy sufferers and particularly amongst birch pollen allergy sufferers about the risk of a cross allergy with food, for instance soya products through the attending physicians and patient organisations. The individuals concerned should take every sign of an allergic reaction when consuming food seriously and avoid that food in future.