Allergy to fruits treated with antibiotic streptomycin pesticides

Empower & Inspire: Spread Health & Wellness

People with food allergies always have to watch what they eat. Now, they may have to watch what their fruits and vegetables eat, as it seems it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to antibiotic residues in food.

Doctors examined the case of a 10 year-old girl who had an anaphylactic (severely allergic) reaction after eating blueberry pie. Although she had a medical history of asthma and seasonal allergies, and known anaphylaxis to penicillin and cow’s milk, she wasn’t known to be allergic to any of the ingredients in the pie.

After weeks of testing on both the young girl and a sample of the pie, the article authors decided that what had caused the reaction was a streptomycin-contaminated blueberry.

Streptomycin, in addition to being a drug used to fight disease, is also used as a pesticide in fruit, to combat the growth of bacteria, fungi, and algae.

“As far as we know, this is the first report that links an allergic reaction to fruits treated with antibiotic pesticides,” said allergist Anne Des Roches, MD,FRCP, lead study author. “Certain European countries ban the use of antibiotics for growing foods, but the United States and Canada still allow them for agricultural purposes.”

The authors note that new regulations from the Food and Drug Administration may help to reduce antibiotic contaminants in food, which will help reduce antibiotic resistance and may also help reduce this type of event.

“This is a very rare allergic reaction” said allergist James Sublett, MD, ACAAI president-elect.

Nevertheless, it’s something allergists need to be aware of and that emergency room personnel may need to know about in order to help determine where anaphylactic reactions may arise.

Anyone who is at risk for a life-threatening allergic reaction should always carry epinephrine. They also need to know how to use their epinephrine in an emergency situation.

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, USA

1 thought on “Allergy to fruits treated with antibiotic streptomycin pesticides”

  1. My daughter had an allergic reaction to Purwal blueberries. She Washed them and that is when the reaction started. Her fingers swelled and she felt hot and flushed, had a headache and she got hives and rashes all over her body.
    the reaction started approx.10 hrs afyer she washed the berries and,lasted for approx. 3 days.
    My girls are All allergic to Antibiptic Penicillins. Luckily we had a Friend spend the night to watch her, my Friend is a Nurse and Knew Exactly what to do.
    I know like my girls and Husband a Lot of People are allergic to Antibiotics and Thete SHOULD be a LABEL Containing all items Sprayed on products.
    I personally spoke to one of the owners and was told they use the Product “Caprure”. And also that there had Not been the usual amt. Of Rain. Maybe the product was Not washed off Enough?
    Needless to say I Would Really like to figure out Exactly Whay My daughter had a Reaction to So we can AVOID expisure in the Future .
    thanks.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Health Newstrack