The hidden ingredient in some juice drinks that could be deadly

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

A man is issuing a warning to consumers: always check the ingredients label.
Redditor hi2colin posted on the anonymous social media board that his wife almost suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction after discovering her cranberry juice contained traces of shellfish.
The man, who lives in Toronto, Canada and did not give his name, revealed that recently he ordered a bottle of cranberry juice with his weekly groceries online from Walmart.
When the store didn't have his wife's usual preferred brand, he opted for the recommended substitute.
But he and his wife were shocked to find a warning on the label. In a photo uploaded to the 'mildlyinfuriating' forum, he shows how the fruit juice had a warning that it 'may contain shellfish' under the ingredient list.
His wife is allergic to shellfish, and he wrote: 'Tried a new brand of cranberry juice. Turns out it might kill my wife.'
Shellfish allergies are one of the most common food allergies affecting more than 200 million people worldwide.
Common symptoms include skin reactions like hives and itching, digestive issues like nausea and vomiting, and respiratory problems such as coughing and wheezing.
In severe cases, anaphylaxis can occur, characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness.
While cranberry juice itself doesn't naturally contain shellfish, food safety experts say there is a chance of cross-contamination if the juice is produced in a manufacturing facility that also process shellfish products.
Cranberry bogs are primarily freshwater wetlands, and while saltwater shellfish aren't typically found there, some freshwater shellfish like clams and mussels can inhabit these environments.
However, contamination of fruit juice is primarily said to happen during the manufacturing process.
One Redditor, who said he used to work at a cranberry farm, wrote on the thread: 'The shellfish is most likely crawfish. They thrive in the same swampy freshwater that cranberries are grown in.
'This is honestly more transparent labeling than I've ever seen in the industry. The only way it could be more transparent would be: "Certainly contains: spider juice."'
Like this cranberry juice, other fruit juices can contain traces of shellfish due to contamination during the manufacturing process.
Clamato juice is a tomato juice-based beverage that contains clam broth, making it the only fruit juice to contain shellfish as a base ingredient.
In response to the Redditor's story, some other commenters highlighted that wine and other alcohols can also contain traces of shellfish.
In wine production, fining agents are often used to clarify the wine and remove unwanted substances like proteins and tannins.
Some of these fining agents are derived from animal products, including shellfish.
Many Redditors also thanked hi2colin for sharing his observations, stating that they too suffer from the same shellfish allergy.
Shellfish allergies affect around 2.9 percent of the US population, which roughly translates to 7.2 million adults.
This makes it the most common food allergy among adults in the country.
While shellfish allergies can develop at any age, they are more likely to be diagnosed in adulthood.
Sufferers can often tolerate specific types of shellfish, such as mollusks - oysters and mussels - while being allergic to crustaceans such as prawns, lobster and crab.
Shellfish allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe.
The most effective treatment is an injection of adrenaline, and sufferers of severe allergies are encouraged to carry an auto-injector, such as an EpiPen.
But anyone experiencing anaphylaxis should seek emergency medical attention immediately, even if symptoms seem to improve after the injection.
The Mayo Clinic advises people to read food labels carefully when it comes to shellfish allergies.
It notes: 'Cross-contamination can occur in stores where other food is processed or displayed near shellfish and during manufacturing. Shellfish may be in fish stock or seafood flavoring. Read food labels carefully.
'Shellfish is not usually a hidden ingredient. Companies are required to label any product that contains crustacean shellfish or certain other foods that often cause allergic reactions. However, these regulations don't apply to mollusks.'
DailyMail.com has reached out to Walmart about the potential shellfish trace in its cranberry drink and is awaiting comment.