Food Journals are
Ineffective in Determining an Allergy to Corn
MY PERSONAL STORY
July, 2008 through March, 2011: It felt like everything I consumed was
poisoning me. Since I never had
allergies, I thought it was GI-related, so I consulted with a
gastroenterologist. After exhausting a myriad of tests (two of which put me in
the hospital) and having my gallbladder removed, my gastroenterologist referred
me to an allergist. During this time period, I kept a detailed food journal;
and the only food product that appeared to cause a reaction was soy (mandatory
labeling).
My Daily Symptoms: Pounding heart with premature ventricular
contractions (PVCs), skyrocketing pulse rate, acute abdominal pain and
distention, brain fog, depression, anxiety, sense of impending doom, and an
overall feeling of utter misery. Since I
didn’t realize these were allergic reactions, I didn’t take an
antihistamine.
March, 2011: My allergist tested me using the skin-prick
method, and I was diagnosed with adult sudden-onset allergies to soy, all
yeast, mushrooms, dairy, pork, salmon, scallops, pecans, dust mites, dogs, and
cats. [Note that my allergist did not
include corn in his standard panel of testing.]
March, 2011 through December, 2011: Even though I eliminated these triggers,
I had no relief from my daily reactions.
During this time period, I conducted a drastic food elimination diet;
e.g., I only consumed filtered water and ate a baked hamburger patty with
Morton’s iodized salt (severe reaction). On the last day of my food elimination diet,
I only drank filtered water and ate a baked hamburger patty without salt. This was the first time in 3 ½ years that I
had no allergic reaction. So I realized
it was the salt! But could I really be
allergic to salt? Morton’s Salt Company
explained to me that iodized salt contains corn-derived dextrose.
December, 2011: I requested that my allergist test me for a
suspected allergy to corn, which was positive.
So I thought my reactions would finally cease if I deleted corn from my
diet: corn kernels and iodized
salt. Wrong!!
[December, 2017: I was also diagnosed with a
life-threatening allergy to petroleum/petrolatum and to clavulanic acid (found
in most antibiotics).]
Corn
and corn-derived ingredients are ubiquitous, and corn is EXEMPT from FDA labeling
requirements:
Although my
allergy to corn was now confirmed, I continued to suffer severe allergic
reactions to nearly everything I consumed.
My allergist and primary care
physician admitted they were not familiar with the complexities associated with
navigating an allergy to corn, so I
realized that I would have to conduct my own research. This is when the stark realization hit me
that my allergen is not only ubiquitous, but is EXEMPT from FDA labeling requirements.
After drinking Mott’s and
Ocean Spray 100%-advertised “pure” fruit juices, my reactions were swift and
severe. Both companies confirmed that
these “pure” fruit juices contained corn-derived ascorbic acid. Who would have
thought that corn is in fruit juice?
I suffered
another severe reaction after consuming Quaker 100% Oats (not allergic to
oats). This is when I learned about the
dangers of cross-contact with corn, and Quaker issued a statement that anyone
with an allergy to corn should avoid consuming their products due to the high
probability of corn cross-contact through the many stages of shipping,
processing, packaging, and handling.
After suffering
an allergic reaction to OTC vitamins, I soon discovered that most prescription
drugs and vitamins contain corn (used as a common filler). [1]
I also continued
to suffer allergic reactions to fresh meat, poultry, seafood, fruit, and
produce. This is when I discovered that
these products are treated with government-mandated corn-derived antimicrobial
chemical washes. So now I realized that
I would have to purchase organic-only fresh food products. However, I was still
reacting to some organic foods. Again, I
discovered that corn cross-contact remained an issue even with organic foods.
In an effort to keep myself safe, all organic fresh food products are soaked
and washed in a bath of cold filtered water (some tap water contains corn due
to corn-derived purification chemicals), [2] Bragg’s apple cider vinegar (white vinegar in
the United States is derived primarily from corn), [3] and baking soda.
CRITICAL UPDATE, JUNE 1, 2020
FDA AND USDA CONFIRM THAT CORN-DERIVED ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMICALS
APPLIED TO FRESH FOOD PRODUCTS ARE EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
Due to my allergy
to corn, it soon became apparent that before consuming any
commercially-manufactured food product, I would have to contact manufacturers
directly to inquire if a product contains corn-derived ingredients. Typical replies from manufacturers include:
1. “Corn is exempt from FDA
labeling requirements.” I then agreed
with their statement indicating this was the reason for my inquiry due to my
allergy to corn.
2. “Our
formulations are “proprietary;” therefore, we cannot disclose this information.”
For the safety of
corn-allergic consumers, it should be mandated that manufacturers must disclose,
upon request, if their products contain corn-derived ingredients.
American Academy of Allergy
Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) and American College of Allergy, Asthma, &
Immunology (ACAAI):
Since I was now
responsible for conducting my own research to guide me in navigating my allergy
to corn, I referenced the AAAAI “Ask the Expert” and the ACAAI “Ask the
Allergist” articles. Based on the
articles referenced on these websites, it was clear that many medical
professionals also rely on their expert opinions. Unfortunately, I soon realized that many
medical professionals relied on these “expert” opinions without questioning the
validity of their claims.
After I read the
following declaration by Phil Lieberman, MD, related to consuming corn oil, I
conducted an oral challenge of Mazola corn oil, and suffered a severe allergic
reaction. [4,7] Thankfully, the AAAAI
immediately removed this article at my request, and I personally contacted Dr.
Lieberman with the results of my oral challenge to corn oil.
". . . the
issue is complex because some products, such as corn oils, are labeled as
having corn, but actually do not contain corn allergen."
“Avoidance of Corn Allergen," AAAAI, Ask the Expert, 2012
After I read the
following declaration on the ACAAI’s website regarding cornstarch and corn
syrup, I conducted an oral challenge of Argo cornstarch, and suffered a severe
allergic reaction. [5-8] A year after mailing the
ACAAI a certified letter, they finally redacted their claim regarding
cornstarch; however, we continue to appeal to them to redact their
equally-false statement regarding corn syrup.
“Most corn-derived products, like cornstarch
and high-fructose corn syrup, do not contain corn protein. If you have a corn
allergy, you do not need to avoid these products.”
Hospital Care with an
Allergy to Corn:
Since the only guaranteed corn-free product on hospital premises
is straight saline-only IV fluid, I realized that I would be required to supply
my own previously-prepared corn-free foods, fluids, and medications while
hospitalized. What would happen if my hospital admission were due to an emergency?
Due to numerous reports in our corn allergy support groups of
nearly 12K members [9] that hospital personnel continue to prescribe medications
containing corn-derived ingredients, and continue to administer dextrose IV
fluids in direct violation of the contraindication warning on the package
insert, [10,11] it took me three years to forward this critical corn allergy
documentation to the majority of our nation’s hospitals, colleges of medicine,
and colleges of pharmacy. [12-15] However, we continue to
receive reports that medical personnel remain oblivious to the dangers of
navigating an allergy to corn.
Therefore, an allergy to corn should be
considered a potentially life-threatening diagnosis; since hospitals remain
ill-equipped to treat/nourish corn-allergic patients, and since corn is
considered a “major allergen” in many published corn allergy studies. [16] In addition, it remains a daily struggle
for survival for corn-allergic consumers in their efforts to source corn-free
foods, fluids, and medications due to the fact that corn is ubiquitous
and is EXEMPT from FDA labeling requirements. [17,18]
Diane H., Corn
Allergy Advocate
Corn Allergy
Advocacy/Resources
Twitter: @CornAllergy911
References:
[1] BCPharmacists, "Warning: corn-related allergens . . ."
[2] "A mother's desperate struggle to find safe water for her
corn-allergic infant son."
[3] "Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid and trace chemicals
that may include flavorings. .... Apple cider vinegar is made from cider or
apple must, and has a ... or sukang basi), although it also is produced in France
and the United States. .... regions, because of its low cost, is barley malt,
or in the United States, corn."
[4] Oral Challenge of Mazola
Corn Oil to Test Hypothesis Presented by Dr. Phil Lieberman
[Conclusion: If you
allergic/intolerant to corn, do not consume corn oil. I suffered a significant allergic reaction as
a result of this oral challenge.]
[5] Argo Cornstarch Oral
Challenge to Test Hypothesis Presented by the ACAAI
[Conclusion: If you are
allergic to corn, do not consume cornstarch. I suffered a significant allergic
reaction as a result of this oral challenge.]
[6] My March 27, 2018,
Certified Letter to the ACAAI Re:
Cornstarch and Corn Syrup
[7] Removing a Food Protein
Does Not Guarantee an Allergen Hypoallergenic
[8] Petition to Demand that
the ACAAI Remove False Statement Re: Cornstarch/High Fructose Corn Syrup
[9] December, 2019,
Month-End Corn Allergy Statistics: 878.9% Increase in 78 Months
[10] LACTATED RINGER’S IN 5%
DEXTROSE CONTRAINDICATED FOR CORN-ALLERGIC PATIENTS
[11] DEXTROSE (CORN SUGAR),
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION 21CFR184.1857
[12] United States
Hospitals/Health Systems Contacted Re: Protocol for Treating Corn-Allergic
Patients
[13] Colleges of
Medicine Contacted Re: Protocol for Treating Corn-Allergic Patients
[14] Colleges of
Pharmacy Contacted Re: Protocol for Treating Corn-Allergic Patients
[15] Corn Allergen Lists
[17] FDA
CONFIRMS THAT CORN IS EXEMPT FROM FDA LABELING REQUIREMENTS
[18] FDA
CONFIRMS CORNSTARCH USED IN PACKAGING MATERIALS IS EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC
DISCLOSURE
Additional References/Resources:
There are many online corn allergy support
groups, and I would personally recommend the Corn Allergy Friendly
Group.
Corn Allergy For Newbies
"Corn: It's Everything," Iowa Corn
SURVEY OF ADULTS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ALLERGY TO
CORN
My March 5, 2020, Email to the FDA Re:
Dextrose (Corn Sugar), Code of Federal Regulation 21CFR184.1857, vs. Glucose
(Blood Sugar)
Corn Allergy References, Studies, Statistics,
& Petitions
(Includes my submission to The Joint
Commission, Congress, FDA, & U.S. Dept. of Health requesting emergency
mandate that hospitals stock corn-free foods, liquids, & drugs.)
Update April 15, 2020
This blog post
has been forwarded to all Senators of the 116th Congress, in addition to
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
