Understanding allergens in alternative food from urban aquaculture fish to underpin food safety

Singapore Food Agency
Role

Principal Investigator

Description

This project aims at evaluating the food safety risks associated with innovative solutions to meet and secure Singapore’s nutritional needs through domestic fish production from sustainable urban aquaculture. Introducing novel food sources into the mainstream diet has potential significant unintended health consequences, particularly that of severe allergic reactions. The production of fish in urban aquaculture systems using combinatorial supplementation of fish feed and selective breeding along with processing innovations has not been evaluated for enhanced allergenicity, which is determined by the presence and immunoreactivity of allergenic proteins (allergens). Consequently, current food safety regulations for allergens are not equipped to tackle upcoming food safety issues faced by the growing innovative production of urban foods and alternative proteins. Their potential allergenicity is the focus of this project.

Date

01 Jul 2022 - 30 Jun 2025

Project Type

GRANT

Keywords

allergen;food safety;fish production;allergenicity;barramundi;healthy ageing

Funding Body

Singapore Food Agency

Amount

150000

Project Team

Thimo Ruethers