Due to my IgE-mediated allergy to corn, I can
consume very few processed foods and have limited access to commercially-processed fresh food products; e.g. meat, poultry, seafood, fruit,
or produce due to government-authorized corn-derived antimicrobial chemical washes. During the last year, I have experienced
reactions to USDA-certified organic fresh produce, even after washing these fresh
food products in a bath of cold filtered water, Bragg’s apple cider vinegar,
and baking soda.
The FDA and USDA have now confirmed
that all fresh food products (including
organic fresh foods) may be treated with corn-derived antimicrobial chemical
washes which are EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC
DISCLOSURE; [1,2] therefore,
corn-allergic consumers have limited
access to commercially-processed fresh food products.
This raises a
critical question. Are these
corn-derived antimicrobial chemical washes sourced from GMO or non-GMO
corn? The general public is unknowingly consuming corn with nearly every meal,
and they may not be aware that these corn-derived chemical washes applied to
our fresh food supply may be sourced from GMO corn; thereby, exposing the
general public to potentially toxic pesticides in addition to other potentially
toxic substances. [3,4]
Diane H., Corn Allergy Advocate
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
Twitter:
@CornAllergy911
References:
[1] My
Inquiry to the FDA, Case #231940:
"Since I am experiencing a corn allergy reaction
to all commercially-processed fresh food products (including organic fresh
foods), I can only assume that these products are processed using a
corn-derived acid wash; e.g., corn-derived lactic acid or some other
corn-derived acid wash. Therefore, I have to assume that these corn-derived
acid washes are, in fact, exempt from FDA labeling requirements. Is this
correct? Thank you very much."
[NOTE THAT CORN HAS NOT BEEN DECLARED AN
OFFICIAL ALLERGEN.]
The FDA's April 17, 2020, reply to my
inquiry, Case #231940:
"The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food
and Cosmetic Information Center (FCIC)/Technical Assistance Network (TAN) has
prepared a response for case number 231940.
Response:
Hello
The Food Allergen Labeling Consumer Protection Act
(FALCPA) is an amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and
requires that the label of a food that contains an ingredient that is or
contains protein from a "major food allergen " declare the presence
of the allergen in the manner described by the law.
Thank you for contacting FDA’s FCIC/TAN."
[2] My April 15, 2020 Conversation with the
USDA:
In my conversation on April 15, 2020, with Devin (USDA
National Organic Program Division), 1-202-720-3252, he explained that suppliers
of produce certified organic by the USDA are allowed to treat organic produce
with corn-derived antimicrobial chemical washes which are exempt from public
disclosure.
[3] Yan P, Liu Z, Liu S, Yao L, Liu Y, Wu
Y, Gong Z. Natural Occurrence of Deoxynivalenol and Its Acetylated Derivatives
in Chinese Maize and Wheat Collected in 2017. Toxins (Basel). 2020 Mar
22;12(3):200. doi: 10.3390/toxins12030200. PMID: 32235760; PMCID: PMC715093
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7150931/
Additional
References:
FDA's
"Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of
Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables"
Corn
Allergy for Newbies
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.)
Blog
Post Reference:
FDA
AND USDA CONFIRM THAT CORN-DERIVED ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMICALS APPLIED TO FRESH
FOOD PRODUCTS ARE EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/06/fda-and-usda-confirm-that-corn-derived.html
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