7 minute read
The Advantages of an Early Start
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Studies found that peanut consumption at a very early age may reduce the risk of allergy in babies
The association between peanuts and allergies generated some amount of confusion in the past, so we decided to take a look at recent research on this subject and summarize the current status of the recommendations from doctors and health authorities.
The Advantages of an Early Start
Allergies in general are caused by dysfunctions of the immune system triggered by things such as insects’ venom, food, paint, dust, and many other substances that may be found in the environment. Food allergies are rather concentrated in certain items, which account for about 90% of cases: tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, soy, and peanuts. These allergies are triggered by proteins in the food which cause a reaction of the immune system, usually generating unpleasant, and occasionally dangerous, symptoms. In most cases, allergies are not life-threatening, but the reactions can be quite unpredictable, and can occasionally cause a condition known as anaphylaxis, which involves serious problems with the skin and, in some cases, with the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Anaphylaxis can be highly dangerous.
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It is estimated that about 1-2% of the US population has some level of peanut allergy. The allergy can last for a person’s life, however, according to the Peanut Institute, a US-based organization that funds and supports peanut-related research, in 20% of cases it can be outgrown.
Up to a few years ago, the recommendation from most doctors was to avoid the consumption of peanuts until the age of three. As Dr. Edmond Chan and others explain in a recent article published in the National Library of Medicine, “In 2000, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended delaying the introduction of peanuts until 3 years of age. This advice was based on expert opinion rather than on prospective clinical trials… Although early clinical practice guidelines recommended delaying the introduction of peanut and other allergenic foods in children, this may have in fact contributed to the dramatic increase in the prevalence of food allergy in recent decades. In January 2017, new guidelines on peanut allergy prevention were released which represented a significant paradigm shift in early food introduction.” More recent research, in fact, strongly suggests that consumption of peanuts starting from the early age of 11 months may help prevent a future allergy. A landmark study was the LEAP (Learning Early About Peanuts) research. As the website of the Ngo FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) explains, the study “Funded in part by FARE… followed more than
600 children for more than four years to answer that question. Babies enrolled in the LEAP study were at high risk for developing peanut allergy because they already had severe eczema, egg allergy, or both.” It “transformed the guidance that pediatricians and allergists/immunologists give to parents about when to introduce peanut foods to children at high risk for food allergies. The LEAP study was inspired by the observation that, among children of Jewish heritage, peanut allergy was ten times more common in the UK, where peanut introduction was delayed, compared to Israel, where peanut-based puffs are a popular baby snack. Could eating peanuts early in life protect against peanut allergy?”
As FARE announces, “For babies at high risk for peanut allergy, eating peanut foods early and regularly reduced the risk of peanut allergy by more than 80 percent, compared to peanut avoidance…
Dr. Chan explains that “Given the surmounting evidence demonstrating the benefit of early allergenic food introduction— particularly the findings of the landmark LEAP study—the NIAID (the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) released addendum guidelines for the prevention of peanut allergy in January 2017 … The new guidelines recommend that the highest risk infants—those with severe eczema and/or egg allergy—be introduced to age-appropriate peanut-containing food as early as 4–6 months of age to reduce the risk of peanut allergy.“
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Bühler’s SORTEX H boasts an impressive 50% yield increase for nut processors
The SORTEX H SpectraVision: a nextlevel optical sorter designed to meet today’s demands for nut sorting
The Swiss Bühler Group has launched its latest optical sorter for a range of applications, including nuts: the SORTEX H SpectraVision. Powered by brand new MerlinAi sorting algorithms, the solution pushes optical sorting to the next level of usability, performance, and product traceability.
Using the best of British and Swiss engineering know-how, the SORTEX H SpectraVision is the result of Bühler’s 75 years of experience in optical sorting. It offers three key benefits for nut processors: unmatched ease of use, high performance, and enhanced connectivity, contributing to increased sustainability and now available with up to seven chutes.
Ease of use
Processors today must tackle an ever-increasing number of defects as a result of climate change and pesticide reduction. With its individual defect removal control, the SORTEX H enables processors to maintain sort quality with ease. “With a simplified and much more intuitive software navigation, the operator can adjust the machine exactly according to the requirements of their customers,” says Stefano Bonacina, Head of Market Segment Nuts & Dried Fruits at Bühler.
High performance
The SORTEX H also delivers up to 50% higher reject concentrations. “The return on investment for this new model has been drastically shortened, thanks to its high reject concentration and reduction of false rejects - along with an increase in the level of production per module,” Bonacina adds.
Supplying maximum yields is in line with Bühler’s goal to reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in its customers’ value chains by 2025 and to develop sustainable solutions to feed the world population of 10 billion by 2050.
Enhanced connectivity
Additionally, enhanced connectivity increases value for nut processors. Over 500 data points can be downloaded every second and sent to Bühler Insights to optimize and track performance. Processors can monitor and control their machine performance from anywhere in the world, in line with Industry 4.0 standards. Real-time tracking of sorting performance and emergency warnings are also possible thanks to the SORTEX Monitoring System.
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MerlinAi: innovation, not magic
The SORTEX H SpectraVision, which is capable of handling a range of applications including: nuts, wheat, rye, oats, grains, coffee and pulses, is powered by brand new MerlinAi sorting algorithms. “MerlinAi is the new brain of Bühler’s SORTEX optical sorting machines,” says Melvyn Penna, Product Manager at Bühler. “Its advanced multi-layer sorting algorithms ensure a consistently higher yield for processors, as less good product is lost in the reject stream.”
Superior defect reduction means acceptable quality can be met even with input material of a lower quality. “These all-new calibration and product tracking algorithms ensure that machine performance remains steady and high, giving processors greater flexibility,” says Penna.
The new fully digital engine also delivers crucial data and reports regarding processors’ products and any defects detected, allowing them to reply to the latest traceability demands of their end consumers.
Making its mark
Despite its recent introduction to the market since its launch, multiple customers have been enjoying the benefits of SORTEX H SpectraVision already. This highlights the machine’s improved efficiency, helping many processors to increase their productivity, not only thanks to its accuracy while removing the most complex defects, but also due to its stability: a direct result of Bühler’s all new calibration, product tracking and sorting algorithms (MerlinAi) ensuring that the machine performance will be consistent over time.
Bühler SORTEX will be sharing the success of this revolutionary release over the coming months. For now, the SORTEX H can be examined live at any of Bühler’s test centers worldwide; it is another strength of the company, having specialized offices around the world, especially in the main peanut producing and exporting countries, where it also offers highly trained after-sales service and spare-parts stock.
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This issue of the World Peanut Magazine has been completed thanks to the efforts of:
Nuria Martí
Spain
Alarcon & Harris PR and Tomra Foods
Alex Izmirlian
USA
Alimenta Agri LLC
Lewis Carter
USA LMC
Duncan Glass
Argentina
Excolgan
Gabriela Alcorta Soledad Bossio Javier Martinetto Nicolás Cantoro Edoardo Fracanzani Sebastián Della Giustina
Argentina
cam (Argentina Peanut Chamber)
Graphic Design and illustrations. ese-estudio.com.ar Typography. Journalist by Sergio Rodriguez / Cantarell by Dave Crossland / Work Sans by Wei Huang / Noto Sans / Pictures Karolina Grabowska / Lara Jameson / Lars Knudsen / Furkan İsmail Dokuzlar
Cámara Argentina del Maní
20 de Septiembre 855 “A”. (X5809AJI) General Cabrera · Córdoba, Argentina Tel +54 358 4933118 cam@camaradelmani.org.ar
