WINE INTOLERANCE: A DEFINITION
Wine intolerance is estimated to affect 8% of people worldwide. The term “wine intolerance”, however is a blanket term as there are a number of different compounds in wines that can trigger allergic symptoms. Such compounds include: Sulphite sensitivity, Histamine sensitivity, Glycoprotein sensitivity.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION?
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
Itchy mouth, eyes, or nose hives, eczema, or itchiness on your skin swelling of your face, throat, or other body parts nasal congestion, wheezing, or difficulty breathing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea dizziness, light-headedness, or loss of consciousness.
If anyone is having a true alcohol allergy, even small amounts of alcohol can cause symptoms. In some cases, it can even cause anaphylaxis and this is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
PRODUCTS CONTAINING ALLERGENIC SUBSTANCES
In the production of wine products allergens must be taken into account.
The presence of detectable allergenic residues equal to or greater than 0,25 mg / L shall must be indicated on the label of the conditioned wine, after June 30, 2012 (Regulation (EC) No. 607/2009, Regulation (EU) No 579/2012) indicating sulphites/sulphites, milk and milk-based products and eggs and egg-based products.
The allergen indications in English may be in one of the following forms:
In the case of sulphur dioxide: ‘sulphites’, ‘sulphites’, ‘sulphur dioxide’ or ‘sulphur dioxide’.
In the case of egg : ‘egg’, ‘egg protein’, ‘egg product’, ‘egg lysozyme’ or ‘egg albumin’.
In the case of milk: ‘milk’, ‘milk products’, ‘milk casein’ or ‘milk protein’.
These terms may be accompanied, as applicable, by one of the pictograms shown in part B of Annex X to Regulation (EU) No 579/2012.
However, note that Regulation (EU) No 579/2012 states that in the case of egg/egg products or milk/milk products ingredients the indication is only mandatory if their presence can be detected in the final product using the analysis methods referred to in Articles 80(5) and 91(c) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013.