Improving Allergenicity Assessment for New Food Proteins: Which Tools for the Future?

Amid rising global demand for diverse food proteins, this article examines the need for improved safety evaluation of novel protein ingredients. It outlines the limits of existing risk assessment methods and introduces advanced in vitro techniques and cell-based assays under development by the EU COST FA1402 ImpARAS network. Focusing on critical steps of allergic sensitization and elicitation, the paper discusses how protein structural features, digestive stability, immunologically active transport across the intestinal epithelium, and subsequent activation of dendritic cells and adaptive immunity contribute to allergen potential. These predictive tools aim to assess both de novo sensitization and reaction risk in already allergic individuals, guiding industry and regulators.