Food Quality and Safety in Europe

GLOFAL

On a European level, between 11 million and 26
million individuals, of which an estimated 6%
are young children, suffer from food-related
allergies. The problem appears to be increasing
through a cascade of events created by modern
European living conditions. In non-western parts of the
world, there is little knowledge or perception of food
allergies with reliable data. Furthermore, in Africa and
Asia, reactions to allergens and disease development
might be affected by different factors to those in
Europe

STRONG TEAMS TO PREVENT FOOD ALLERGY

The changes in food processing, food intake, mucosal
permeability and immune reactivity to allergens
need to be understood in depth before appropriate
interventions are possible. This can be facilitated
by taking a more global view of food allergies since
allergic disorders have been increasing in prevalence,
particularly in western countries. If we are to
understand why allergies are increasing, we need
to study regions that are in transition; these regions
would reflect lifestyles that represented Europe one
hundred years ago and are moving towards lifestyles
that resemble modern Europe. By understanding the
causes and mechanisms that underlie the apparent
tolerance for allergens in some geographical areas
where prevalences of allergies are low, knowledgebased
plans to combat allergic disorders in Europe
can be laid.

Therefore, it is important to build up strong teams that
are capable of conducting research in the area of food
allergy in regions where allergies are less common.
Most studies so far have examined inhalant allergies;
now, however, food allergies must be addressed.

ASSURING BETTER KNOWLEDGE

GLOFAL brings together a group of European experts
in the area of food allergy to train a number of
medical doctors, nurses and scientists from African
and Asian centres, by organising workshops and
laboratory-based courses. Researchers in African
and Asian countries are provided with the necessary
tools to design strategies for estimating the extent of
the problem and to identify risk as well as protective
factors in the development of allergic disorders. This,
in the long term, improves the health and quality of life
of subjects suffering from food allergy in Africa and
in South East Asia. The project will thus set the stage
for future international cooperation in understanding
the influence of diet, environment and infections on the
development of food allergy.

GLOFAL capitalises on the expertise and resources
available within the laboratory of European partners who
all belong to the Europrevall consortium - a platform of
experts active in various aspects of food allergy.
The potential impact of the project falls into the
following specific areas: food allergy management;
diagnosis of food allergy; prevention and therapies for
food allergy in the future; transfer of knowledge and
technology; creation of a critical mass of scientists; and
international cooperation. High European standards
are applied for the first time to determine the extent
and nature of food allergy in diverse populations.
This research is particularly important, with a view
to preventing food allergies from becoming an
increasingly significant disease mechanism with
considerable socioeconomic impact. In addition to
strengthening European research, this Specific Support
Action provides a unique opportunity for addressing
the specific and under-appreciated needs of certain
third countries.

The building-up of teams with a sound knowledge of
food allergies has wider implications on understanding
and creating interest in related topics, such as obesity,
consumption of processed food, changes in food
production and management. A number of ongoing
European programmes on allergy equally benefit from
the GLOFAL research
results, and partners
from this Specific
Support Action have
the opportunity to join
related programmes in
the future.

List of Partners

Leiden University Medical
Center (The Netherlands)

Academic Medical Center
Amsterdam
(The Netherlands)

Medical University of
Vienna (Austria)

Institute of Food Research
(UK)

Noguchi Memorial
Institute for Medical
Research (Ghana)

Albert Schweitzer Hospital
(Gabon)

University of Indonesia
(Indonesia)

Hassanuddin University
(Indonesia)

Acronym:

GLOFAL

Full title:

Global view of food allergy:
opportunities to study the influence of
microbial exposure