Food: Swedish scientists develop anti-allergy apple

Swedish scientists at the department of crop science at SLU in Balsgard, Southern Sweden, have developed an apple with a reduced amount of the protein Ma1 d 1, which is known to cause allergic reactions.

Found in foods such as apples, strawberries and carrots, the protein is similar to that which is found in birch pollen, a common cause for allergies across Northern Europe. Popular apple varieties contain high levels of Mal d 1.

The development is in response to the growing allergen-free food and beverage market. However, the product will not hit the market for another four to five years.