4 replies to this topic

[Anne Z]

Hello

We fill refined vegetable oils in IBC's and drums. The product arrives in a tankcar from the refinery (different company). We get sesamoil, sunfloweroil etc. At the moment I'm re writing the risk analyses and thinking about the food allergens.

What if.....The previous load in the tankcar was sesamoil and the car hasn't been cleaned before loading the new product. A small amount of sesamoil can be in the product.

The refinery claims refined sesamoil is not a allergen. But I can't find any information about this. Does anybody have allergy information about crude and refined oils.

Thank you!

Anne

[Cathy]

This may be of some help although it was developed regarding soy oil...if i find anything on sesame, I'll
let you know!


http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations/FAQs_for_Notice_45-05/index.asp

• Question: "What is the definition of highly refined oil?"
  
  Answer: Highly refined edible oils are the result of processing that involves de-gumming, neutralizing, bleaching, and deodorizing the oils extracted from plant-based starting materials, such as soybeans and peanuts. Refining improves the quality of plant oils by removing undesirable free fatty acids, gums, and phosphatides, imparting uniform color and eliminating undesired odors to make the product acceptable from the sensory perspective for human consumption. A benefit of refining edible oils is that the refining process renders them virtually free of allergenic protein according to information provided on the Institute of Shortening and Edible Oils website. According to the Institute of Shortening and Edible Oils, the vast preponderance of edible oils consumed in the U.S. are highly refined and processed to the extent that allergenic proteins are not present in detectable amounts. Scientific studies indicate that refined oils are safe for the food-allergic population to consume. In contrast, mechanical or "cold press" extraction of oils from plant materials may not remove all protein. However, cold-pressed oils are rarely used.
• Question: "Is soy bean oil an allergen?"
  
  Answer: Highly refined vegetable oils are not considered allergens according to allergens experts. Because the protein from the soybean is typically removed during the refining of the oil, it is not considered an allergen.

[Charles Chew]

Answer: Highly refined vegetable oils are not considered allergens according to allergens experts. Because the protein from the soybean is typically removed during the refining of the oil, it is not considered an allergen.

An interesting subject and base on the scientific testing (fsis.usda) the degree of refinery would determine the amount of reduced protein in the end product delivered to you. I would ask for a batch COA or establish mutually agreed specifications. However, my key concern would be how you would go about with your product labeling on allergen advice despite the assurance because the potential legal issue may not be the amount of reduced allergen generating protein present in the sesame oil but the sensitivity of your consumers instead.

[Charles.C]

Dear Cathy / AnneZ,

@Cathy - Yr comment on refined soyabean oil is certainly in line with the (vast) majority, eg -

http://www.soya.be/s...oil-allergy.php
http://ift.confex.co...paper_20059.htm
http://sciencelinks....307A0008484.php

however some authorities are still cautious on the subject, either conceptually or , seemingly, due to a suspicion of the possibility of variations in the refined oil’s composition (see last link), eg –

http://www.aafa.org/...sub=20&cont=522

http://www.ehow.com/...th-allergy.html

http://www.foodaller...age/soy-allergy

http://www.nejm.org/...56/NEJMc0904562

@AnneZ - With respect to refined sesame oil, the situation appears significantly more uncertain (and perhaps less well documented) than soyabean oil -
(the perceived risk priority also appears to be different between Europe/Canada and USA [see 2nd link below])
http://www.inspectio...lerg/sese.shtml

http://allergiclivin...seed-allergies/

http://www.pharmj.co...1124_sesame.pdf

Also came across this rather fascinatingly detailed comparison of global allergen standards (ca 2006), illustrates the overall complexity of the situation –

 Global comparison allergenic standards 2006.PDF   624.55KB   35 downloads
(has 1 page abstract at the end for no obvious reason)

Rgds / Charles.C

[Anne Z]

Thank you for all the information.

Anne