Chocolate Allergy Linked to Roaches
Allergy sufferers who react to chocolate might be shocked to learn their allergy could be linked to something other than the cocoa bean: an allergy to cockroach. An average of 8 insect parts are found in a chocolate bar and deemed safe, according to the FDA's guidelines. "Most foods have natural contaminants in them, but there are levels which the FDA deems safe," said allergist Dr. Morton M. Teich. "Anything more than 60 insect pieces per 100 grams of chocolate is rejected by the FDA. " Trace amounts of insect parts that are ground into the food and can affect people with allergies and asthma. Some side effects include migraines, cramps, itching or hives. Chocolate isn't the only food product to blame for contamination, other foods like peanut butter, macaroni, fruit, cheese, popcorn, wheat and some cheese also contain this material. Allergists can help patients with cockroach allergies by giving them allergy shots with small amounts of the inse...