To the Editor:
Food-induced anaphylaxis is occurring more frequently in response to
composite foods where the culprit may be a contaminant.1 A few published case reports describe anaphylactic
reactions in patients after consuming foods contaminated with mold. One
patient died after consuming mold-contaminated pancake
mix.2 Another experienced a non-life threatening
anaphylactic reaction to mold-contaminated
bee-pollen.3 A case of true anaphylaxis occurred after
a patient consumed dry cured meat products that require mold in their
preparation.4 Quorn, a meat substitute made with
mycoprotein, caused a lethal anaphylactic reaction in a pediatric
patient with a previously known mold allergy.5Multiple reports on the internet and news outlets have described parents
finding mold in preservative-free juice drinks, but no reports have
described allergic reactions.