An allergy-free peanut could be on the horizon
I don’t know anyone with a severe allergy to peanuts, but I do know that people who are live in a world where just about any food could make them sick, or worse.
News from North Carolina might give them some hope:
People with life-threatening allergies to peanuts might be able to rest easy at their friendly neighborhood Thai restaurants soon, if research announced this week proves true. A release from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University says researcher Mohamed Ahmedna has developed whole, roasted peanuts in which the allergen is completely inactivated and that serum from people with severe peanut allergies did not react to the processed peanuts at all. The university paper does not explain the process at all. However, it claims the technique inactivates peanut allergens without degrading the taste or quality of treated peanuts. Source:Researcher develops allergy-free peanuts | Tech news blog - CNET News.com
While this is awesome news, I have to caution that I doubt that there would be universal adoption of this new peanut. Cheap peanuts from around the world might not use the new strain or new process. I think this new developement might wind up being a double-edged sword. Lulled into a false sense of security, a person with this allergy could be exposed to the “old” peanut and have a reaction. Maybe the most realistic thing is that they will be able to enjoy peanutbutter at some time.
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