Monday, March 28, 2022

ScienceDirect® is Endangering the Lives of Corn-Allergic Citizens [DOCUMENTED]

 What is ScienceDirect®?

"Elsevier's premier platform of peer-reviewed literature."
https://www.elsevier.com/solutions/sciencedirect

Peer Review: A Direct Threat to the Safety of Corn-Allergic Citizens [DOCUMENTED]
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2022/03/peer-review-direct-threat-to-safety-of.html

 

ScienceDirect® is encouraging corn-allergic citizens to consume their allergen.

I would be excoriated if I claimed that "Wheat starch is not by itself allergenic . . ." ScienceDirect® should be excoriated for making this false claim re: cornstarch.

"Corn starch is not by itself allergenic . . ." [emphasis added]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/corn-starch

Cornstarch can prove fatal to anyone with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn. This is due to the fact that cornstarch contains allergenic corn proteins.

No legitimate clinician would ever encourage their patient to consume their allergen(s) or derivatives thereof, since strict avoidance of allergen(s) is always advised to guarantee a patient’s safety.  In addition, no one has ever successfully removed allergenic food proteins from food products; thereby rendering them safe to consume by patients with IgE-mediated allergies.

STRICT AVOIDANCE OF ALLERGENS IS ALWAYS ADVISED
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/05/strict-avoidance-of-allergens-is-always.html

Removing a Food Protein Does Not Guarantee an Allergen Hypoallergenic
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2017/12/removing-food-protein-does-not.html

  

Email Exchange with Elsevier:

 

March 7, 2022, email from Elsevier in response to my phone call:

Dear Diane,

Thank you for contacting Elsevier Helpdesk and your time in calling us today.

Your reference number is 220308-000987.

Kindly provide the link to the article in ScienceDirect and the correction that needs to be done for that content.

I will wait for your response.

Kind regards,

Paul Jordan Biyo
Customer Support Representative
ELSEVIER | Research Products Customer Service

 

My March 7, 2022, email to Elsevier

Ref #220308-000987

To:  Paul Jordan Biyo, Customer Support Representative

Re:  "Corn starch [sic] is not by itself allergenic . . ." [False]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/corn-starch

Important:  What is your source for making this claim that cornstarch is hypoallergenic?  

Cornstarch can PROVE FATAL to anyone with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn.  This is due to the fact that cornstarch contains allergenic corn proteins, e.g., zein.  

Please note that no one has ever identified, or successfully eliminated, allergenic corn proteins from the corn plant or from cornstarch.  This is the reason that corn sugar produced from cornstarch (dextrose/D-glucose)-containing IV fluids are contraindicated for administration to corn-allergic patients in the package insert.  These IV fluids contain allergenic corn proteins from cornstarch.  

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

 

Diane H., Corn Allergy Advocate
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/
Email:  
cornallergyinitiative@gmail.com
Twitter:  @CornAllergy911


References:

"Dextrose-containing solutions pose a significant risk to patients allergic to corn. Dextrose used for IV fluids is prepared by the simple hydrolysis of cornstarch."
https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/Fulltext/2019/05000/Excipients_in_Anesthesia_Medications.11.aspx

"Solutions containing dextrose should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with known allergy to corn or corn products." - Page 3
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/016679s104,016682s105,016692s095,019367s026lbl.pdf

College of Pharmacists of British Columbia, "Warning: corn-related allergens . . ."

“Pharmacists are requested to use caution and be aware that many drugs and medications contain undisclosed potential allergens in the form of sugars, starches, and celluloses. 
Share the corn allergy example with prescribers, [emphasis added] so they are aware of potential allergic reactions patients may face. This relatively unknown but potentially serious allergy highlights the need for pharmacists and other health-care professionals to be involved in ADR reporting.”
http://library.bcpharmacists.org/6_Resources/6-7_ReadLinks/ReadLinks-MayJun2007.pdf

Corn Sugar produced from cornstarch (Dextrose/D-Glucose), Code of Federal Regulation 21CFR184.1857
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1857

Guidelines for reporting medical professionals who administer corn sugar (dextrose) IV fluids to corn-allergic patients in direct violation of the contraindication warning in the package insert.
Lactated Ringer’s in 5% Dextrose Contraindicated for Corn-Allergic Patients
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2019/12/lactated-ringers-in-5-dextrose.html

"IgE-mediated allergy to corn: A 50 kDa protein, belonging to the Reduced Soluble Proteins, is a major allergen"
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11436886_IgE-mediated_allergy_to_corn_A_50_kDa_protein_belonging_to_the_Reduced_Soluble_Proteins_is_a_major_allergen

"CONCLUSIONS:  Maize LTP maintains its IgE-binding capacity after heat treatment, thus being the most eligible candidate for a causative role in severe anaphylactic reactions to both raw and cooked maize."
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14564361/

Published Corn Allergy Studies (“. . . Maize major allergen . . .”)
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2017/05/published-corn-allergy-studies.html

Removing a Food Protein Does Not Guarantee an Allergen Hypoallergenic
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2017/12/removing-food-protein-does-not.html

STRICT AVOIDANCE OF ALLERGENS IS ALWAYS ADVISED
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2020/05/strict-avoidance-of-allergens-is-always.html

After appealing to the ACAAI for four years, they finally redacted their false claims re: allergenic proteins in cornstarch and HFCS in January, 2022. 

Argo Cornstarch Oral Challenge to Test Hypothesis Presented by the ACAAI
 [Conclusion: If you are allergic/intolerant to corn, do NOT consume cornstarch. I suffered a significant allergic reaction as a result of this oral challenge.]
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/03/argo-cornstarch-oral-challenge-to-test.html

Note the avoidance of cornstarch. 

"Corn-Free Diet," Golisano Children's Hospital, Pediatric Nutrition
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/nutrition/corn-free.aspx

 

Cornstarch is a major trigger to anyone with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn.  PLEASE CONSULT WITH A BOARD-CERTIFIED ALLERGIST!  PLEASE CONTACT THE MANUFACTURERS OF CORNSTARCH WHO WILL CONFIRM THAT CORNSTARCH CONTAINS ALLERGENIC CORN PROTEINS.  This is due to the fact that cornstarch is derived from the corn plant which contains allergenic corn proteins.  

Corn Allergen Lists of Corn Products/Corn-Derived Ingredients to be Avoided
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2018/07/corn-allergen-lists.html

 

The following message/blog post has been distributed globally via Twitter, including to my global media contacts.

ALERT!
Some academics on Quora are offering dangerous medical opinions without a license; e.g., "Dextrose is naturally present in humans." Dextrose is corn sugar produced from cornstarch that can KILL corn-allergic citizens, 21CFR184.1857.
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2021/12/my-december-14-2021-email-to-board-of.html

 

 

My March 7, 2022, email to Elsevier

Ref #220308-000987

To:  Paul Jordan Biyo, Customer Support Representative

Re:  "Corn starch [sic] is not by itself allergenic . . ." [False]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/corn-starch

This is equivalent to telling a person with an IgE-mediated allergy to peanuts that they must avoid peanuts; however, they may safely consume peanut butter, since peanut butter does not contain allergenic peanut proteins.  Of course, anyone making this claim would be excoriated. 

Thank you very much for your consideration for the safety of corn-allergic citizens.

 

Diane H., Corn Allergy Advocate
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/
Email:  
cornallergyinitiative@gmail.com
Twitter:  @CornAllergy911

 

 

My March 7, 2022, email to ELSEVIER

Ref #220308-000987

To:  Paul Jordan Biyo, Customer Support Representative

Re:  "Corn starch [sic] is not by itself allergenic . . ." [False]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/corn-starch

Following is the link to the specific article which endangers the lives of everyone with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn.  I also noted similar claims in other articles addressing cornstarch on this website.  Please note that cornstarch can prove fatal to anyone with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn.  As such, many of the nearly 17K members in our corn allergy support groups (many of whom are corn-allergic clinicians) must have their medications compounded to exclude corn-derived excipients; e.g., cornstarch. 

"Corn starch"
In Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs (Sixteenth Edition), 2016
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444537171017169

Important:

If the author of this article decides to maintain his/her claim that cornstarch is hypoallergenic, please provide his/her decision to me in writing; since this would mean that the author is advocating that cornstarch is safe to consume by anyone with a confirmed IgE-mediated allergy to corn.  

On behalf of corn-allergic citizens, we appreciate your attention to this critical matter.

 

Diane H., Corn Allergy Advocate
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/
Email:  
cornallergyinitiative@gmail.com
Twitter:  @CornAllergy911

 

 

March 7, 2022, email from ELSEVIER

Dear Diane,

Thank you for your reply.

Please be advised that we will have this forwarded to the correct team. To set your expectation, they might ask you additional information to have this resolved.

Let me know if there are any questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

Paul Jordan Biyo
Customer Support Representative
ELSEVIER | Research Products Customer Service

 

March 10, 2022, Elsevier blocked my email address.

 

Urgent Appeal:

It is incomprehensible to me that authors may publish false and misleading information that can endanger a person’s life without consequence. 

For the safety of corn-allergic citizens, please join me in demanding that Elsevier redact this potentially life-threatening claim by ScienceDirect® from their website. 

 

Diane H., Corn Allergy Advocate
Corn Allergy Advocacy/Resources
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/
Email:  cornallergyinitiative@gmail.com
Twitter:  @CornAllergy911

 

References:

Cornstarch must be avoided by anyone with an IgE-mediated allergy to corn:

 "Corn-Free Diet," Golisano Children's Hospital, Pediatric Nutrition
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/nutrition/corn-free.aspx

Anesthetic Challenges in a Patient with a Corn Allergy
The University of Chicago Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care
"Powdered Surgical Gloves (cornstarch)"
http://www3.pedsanesthesia.org/meetings/2018winter/guide/posters/uploads/583--NM-210.pdf

Allergy Associates of La Crosse
Corn Free Diets
"Avoid cornflakes, corn flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, corn oil, corn sugar, corn syrup, dextrin, dextrose, glucose, grits, high fructose syrup, hominy, maize, maltodextrin, maltodextrose, modified starch, polenta, popcorn, starch, vegetable starch, vegetable gum, vegetable protein, and vegetable paste. This list is not all inclusive."
https://lacrosseallergy.com/what-to-expect/diet-and-nutrition-counseling-services/allergen-free-diets/corn-free-diets/

Fairfield County Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, P.C.
https://fairfieldcountyallergy.com/resources/corn-free-diet/

Ohio ENT & Allergy Physicians
https://www.ohioentandallergy.com/allergy-asthma/allergies/ingredient-substitutes-for-food-allergies/

health24, "The lowdown on maize allergies"
https://www.news24.com/health24/Medical/Allergy/Allergy-triggers/The-lowdown-on-maize-allergies-20120721

ENT North Mississippi
https://www.entnorthmississippi.com/webdocuments/Corn-Allergy-Information.pdf

Metropolitan ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery
http://www.metropolitanent.com/webdocuments/Corn-diet.pdf

Nebraska DHHS Maternal Infant Health
https://dhhs.ne.gov/MCAH/MI-OtherFoodAllergens-Graph.pdf

Children & Adolescents Clinic
http://doctorsarah.net/pedsadvisor/hhg/cornall.htm

The Asthma & Allergy Center
“OBVIOUS SOURCES OF CORN, Cornstarch”
https://www.asthmaandallergycenter.com/article/corn-sensitivity/

North Kitsap Ear, Nose and Throat
Kitsap Allergy Care
“CORN ALLERGY
Ingredients to Avoid: Corn starch" 
https://www.northkitsapent.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/FoodallergiesCORN.pdf

The Nutrition Clinic for Digestive Health
https://nutritionfordigestivehealing.com/corn-allergies-and-sensitivities/

Australian Allergy Centre
“Corn-Free Diet
OBVIOUS FORMS OF CORN - Corn starch"
https://www.australianallergycentre.com.au/corn-allergy/

Allergy & ENT Associates
https://www.aentassociates.com/less-common-food-allergies-you-should-be-aware-of/

"The obvious items that contain corn: Corn starch"
https://absolutehealthaz.com/allergy-relief/corn-sensitivity/

Tampa ENT Associates
CORN Allergies

"To begin your elimination diet, corn must be avoided in all forms.

THREE FORMS OF CORN:

1. Fresh Corn – canned, frozen, roasting ear, fritters, succotash.
2. Dried Corn – corn flour, corn meal, cornstarch, grits hominy, parched corn, popcorn.
3. Refined Corn- corn flakes, corn oil, corn sugars, corn syrups, glucose, dextrose."
https://www.tampaent.com/webdocuments/corn7-6.pdf

"Anaphylaxis due to cornstarch surgical glove powder," PRIME PubMed.

"Two nurses suffered anaphylaxis to cornstarch glove powder. Both exhibited (1) positive prick skin tests to cornstarch powder in water, with resultant anaphylaxis in one and (2) negative prick skin tests and RAST to corn. Analysis of the powder revealed only glucose and inorganic salts. We were unable to detect in vitro histamine release or cornstarch powder specific IgE. Because of the positive skin tests and the resultant anaphylaxis, we suspect that cornstarch is the responsible allergen."[emphasis added]
https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/1696439/Anaphylaxis_due_to_cornstarch_surgical_glove_powder_

Is Corn the Next Gluten?, Amy Myers, MD
“. . . some obvious sources of corn, such as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), corn oil, and cornstarch.”
https://www.amymyersmd.com/article/corn-next-gluten/

Vibrant Health MD, PLLC
https://vibranthealthmd.com/corn-allergy.html

“Allergic reactions due to glove-lubricant-powder in health-care workers," M. Crippa, G. Pasolini, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, November 1997, Volume 70, Issue 6, pp 399–402
"This study seems to suggest that corn-starch powder may act as a type I allergen itself." [emphasis added]
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9439986

“Deadly Powder on Medical Gloves: A Wake-Up Call to the Food and Drug Administration," Richard F. Edlich, MD (January 31, 2012), iUniverse. pp. 8–. ISBN 978-1-4697-4417-9

“Both the United Kingdom and Germany have banned the use of cornstarch on medical gloves because it can injure healthcare workers and patients and can cause life-threatening injuries and even death. For the last ten years, author Richard F. Edlich has worked to persuade the US Food and Drug Administration to ban this dangerous powder in medical environments.”
https://books.google.com/books?id=puAoqCLhpXoC&pg=PR8

"How to Avoid Corn," Dr. Sarah Ballantyne's The Paleo Mom
https://www.thepaleomom.com/wiki/how-to-avoid-corn/?fbclid=IwAR3478poccsxa3URPu9s8cj9AfU0GmzMZBFPu-jo-6MsP-WoiTYWWb40fwI

Corn Allergy Overview
Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
“It's easy to tell if some foods have corn in them, like cornstarch . . .”
https://www.verywellhealth.com/corn-allergy-82895

Corn Allergy: What to Eat and What to Avoid
https://www.livingbeyondallergies.com/corn-allergy/

“Even official sources of medical information can be confusing, telling corn-allergy patients that they do not need to avoid cornstarch . . .” [emphasis added]
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/what-its-like-be-allergic-corn/580594/

How to Cook without Corn Ingredients
“The following is a general guide to using ingredient substitutions for corn allergy.
Substitutes for Corn Starch”
https://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/corn-allergy-recipe-substitutions.aspx

Managing A Corn Allergy
“. . . any ingredient that contains the word “corn” in it, should be avoided.” [emphasis added]
https://www.eatingwithfoodallergies.com/managing-a-corn-allergy/

"Tapioca starch is the better option for those dealing with a corn allergy . . . Note also that allergies to cassava are rarer than allergies to corn."
https://www.spiceography.com/tapioca-starch-vs-corn-starch/

“Corn products, like cornstarch, may be hidden in food or used as sweeteners in drinks.”
https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/corn-allergy-symptoms

4 Secrets Every Person with a Corn Allergy Should Know
“I used . . . tapioca starch in place of corn starch.”
https://www.intoxicatedonlife.com/4-food-secrets-every-person-with-a-corn-allergy-should-know/

Gluten Free and Corn Free: How to Manage Two Tricky Dietary Restrictions at Once
“Avoiding corn in its most obvious forms—cornstarch, corn meal, corn syrup and corn oil . . .”
https://www.glutenfreeliving.com/gluten-free/beyond-gluten-free/gluten-free-corn-free/

Corn Allergen List - Corn Derivatives
http://corn-freefoods.blogspot.com/2017/11/corn-allergen-list-corn-derivatives.html

Corn Allergy Food List
https://leavesoflife.com/corn-allergy-food-list/

Foods to avoid if you have a corn allergy
“. . . find hidden in foods have the name "corn" in them, including corn flour, cornstarch, cornmeal, corn syrup, corn sugar, corn alcohol and corn chips.”
https://www.peanutallergy.com/articles/other-food-allergies/corn-allergy-and-foods-to-avoid

“. . . cornstarch (may also be called food starch) . . .”
https://home.allergicchild.com/less-common-allergies-corn/

“People with corn allergies have a formidable list of foods to avoid. In addition to obvious corn products like corn tortillas, grits, hominy, and corn muffins, they also have to watch out for corn syrup, a common food additive, along with cornstarch, [emphasis added] which is often used as a thickener. Ingredients with “dex” in their name often contain corn as well. Sometimes, avoiding all processed foods is necessary for people with severe corn allergies, because corn is such a ubiquitous ingredient.”
https://www.wise-geek.com/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-corn-allergy.htm

”Those with a corn allergy cannot have the obvious corn: corn kernels, popcorn, corn oil, cornmeal, corn flour, corn starch, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, corn alcohol, and maize.”
https://smilepolitely.com/food/eating_with_a_corn_allergy_in_champaign_urbana/

“A 33-year-old nurse with a history of asthma and seasonal AR, presented with hand dermatitis, since the time she started nursing. She complained of having intermittent, itchy blisters on her hands, which improved when she was off work. She also experienced ‘itchy throat’, when she ate bananas, kiwi, avocado, and cantaloupe. The SPT showed positive response for corn, and the nurse was advised to avoid wearing gloves that contain corn-starch powder. It was reported that her symptoms started improving, after she used a non-cornstarch-based gloves.” [emphasis added]
https://www.thermofisher.com/diagnostic-education/hcp/us/en/resource-center/allergen-encyclopedia/whole-allergens.html?key=f8

Corn Allergy Guide
“Food form is caused by consuming corn flour, corn sugar, corn oil, corn syrup, corn meal or corn starch.”
http://www.breastfeedingquest.com/corn-allergy.html

Part 2: Corn Allergy-The Real Story
[Includes personal testimonies.]
https://www.momlifetv.com/lifestyle/health-fitness-wellness/part-2-corn-allergy-the-real-story/

Live Corn Free
"Ingredients Derived From Corn - What to Avoid"
http://www.livecornfree.com/2010/04/ingredients-derived-from-corn-what-to.html

8 Common Corn Allergy Symptoms: Read This to Stay Safe
https://icyhealth.com/8-common-corn-allergy-symptoms/

Corn-Fed and Allergic?
https://www.glutenfreeandmore.com/issues/corn-fed-and-allergic/

Allergies
“Those with a corn allergy should avoid cornstarch.”
https://www.verywellfit.com/cornstarch-nutrition-facts-and-health-benefits-5084478

“If you’ve ever looked at the ingredients in baking powder, you most likely saw something like corn starch, monocalcium phosphate, and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). For someone who can’t have corn, they’ll need a baking powder that has either potato starch, arrowroot, or tapioca starch.”
https://raise.theallergychef.com/corn-free-baking-powder-substitute-recipe-information/

Names for Corn on Food Labels:
https://simplelifemom.com/2014/03/28/corn-on-food-labels-2/

Foods with Corn You Need To Avoid
https://mkfa.info/blog/corn-allergies-symptoms-and-dangers

Beyond the "Big 8" Food Allergies
https://www.menutrinfo.com/blog/beyond-big-8

Corn-Allergy Sufferers Face Hidden Corn Everywhere
https://eatdrinkbetter.com/articles/corn-allergy-sufferers-face-hidden-corn-everywhere/

"Dextrose-containing solutions pose a significant risk to patients allergic to corn. Dextrose used for IV fluids is prepared by the simple hydrolysis of cornstarch."
https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/Fulltext/2019/05000/Excipients_in_Anesthesia_Medications.11.aspx


Additional References:

My March 28, 2022, Email to The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) for the Protection of Corn-Allergic Citizens
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2022/03/my-march-28-2022-email-to-association.html

 My March 28, 2022, Inquiry to the National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Protection of Corn-Allergic Citizens
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2022/03/my-march-28-2022-inquiry-to-national.html




Blog Post Reference:

ScienceDirect® is Endangering the Lives of Corn-Allergic Citizens [DOCUMENTED]
https://cornallergyadvocacyresources.blogspot.com/2022/03/sciencedirect-is-endangering-lives-of.html


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