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Milk Allergens

Since the prevalence of allergies is increasing, food allergy is a major concern for consumers, as well as for the food industry. The foods that account for over 90% of all moderate to severe allergic reactions to food are milk, eggs, peanuts, soybeans, fish, shellfish, wheat, and tree nuts. Of these food allergens, milk is one of the major animal food allergens in infants and young children. Milk is the first food that an infant is exposed to; therefore, the sensitization rate of milk in sensitive individuals is understandably higher. The mechanisms involved in allergic reactions caused by this hypersensitivity are similar to those of other immune-mediated allergic reactions. The reactions occur in the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and respiratory tract, with headaches and psychological disorders occurring in some instances. The major allergenic proteins in milk are casein, ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin, and ${\alpha}$-lactalbumin, while some of the minor allergenic proteins are lactoferrin, bovine serum albumin, and immunoglobulin. Reliable allergen detection and quantification are essential for compliance with food allergen-labeling regulations, which protect the consumer and facilitate international trade.