Cow's milk allergy in children impacts parental or caregiver calcium intake.

Food allergies have become a global epidemic, affecting more than 10% of the population and 8% of children worldwide. Eliminating or limiting a food group from the diet can adversely impact micronutrient consumption. Milk allergies can impact the amount of calcium consumed in the diet, serving as a barrier to meeting daily calcium needs. Previous research evaluates the nutritional impact food allergies may have on children diagnosed with food allergies; however, there is a marked gap in literature that investigates the impact that children's allergy may have on their parent or caregiver. We hypothesized that milk elimination in a child's diet resulting from a milk allergy is associated with inadequate calcium intake among parents. Study participants (n = 55) lived in the United States and included parents or caregivers of a child with a diagnosed milk allergy (experimental group) and parents of a child without a milk allergy (control group). Calcium intake was estimated by using the validated Calcium Assessment Tool. Results demonstrated that the experimental group consumed significantly less calcium (273 mg/d) than the control group (520 mg/d; P < .01). Notably, both groups consumed inadequate calcium relative to the calcium Recommended Dietary Allowance for adults of 1000 mg/d, although calcium supplementation was not assessed in this study. Key findings from this study indicate widespread inadequate dietary calcium intake and suggest a need for increased calcium consumption in this population.

Characterization of the Volatile Compounds in Raw and Roasted Georgia Pecans by HS-SPME-GC-MS.

Volatile compounds are responsible for the characteristic aroma of raw and roasted pecans. Yet, much is unknown about the specific effects of roasting on pecan volatiles. In this study, the volatiles of raw "Desirable" pecans from Georgia and 3 roasted pecan samples (175 °C for 5, 10, and 15 min) were determined by HS-SPME coupled to GC-MS using stable deuterium-labeled volatiles as internal standards for quantitation. As expected, roasting markedly impacted the volatile profile of pecans: a total of 63 flavor-active compounds were identified in roasted samples, including 9 compounds not detected in raw "Desirable" pecans. Pyrazines, notable indicators of the Maillard reaction, were found only in roasted samples and demonstrated continual increases throughout observed roasting times. Furthermore, it was noted that hydrocarbon derivatives showed substantial increases with roasting, likely a result of the degradation of nonvolatile lipids. The observed changes correspond well to prior sensory investigations concerning the impact of roasting on pecan flavor, and explain increases in intensity for roasted, nutty, buttery, and sweet sensory traits. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of this study document the volatile constituents generated during the roasting of pecans, and this may help formulators, who are trying to develop natural and artificial pecan flavors in new food products.

Effects of Storage Conditions on Consumer and Chemical Assessments of Raw 'Nonpareil' Almonds Over a Two-Year Period.

Raw almonds are a major commodity, yet much is unknown about how storage conditions determine their shelf life. The storage stability, as measured by consumer assessments and chemical measures, of raw almonds was determined for samples stored in cardboard boxes and polypropylene packaging for 2 years at 4, 15, 25, and 35 °C, and at 50% and 65% relative humidity (RH). Samples stored in unlined cartons always failed (>25% rejection) before their counterparts stored in polypropylene bags under identical environmental conditions. Models determined that polypropylene packaging (as opposed to unlined cardboard cartons) extended the time until sample rejection by more than 7 months. Temperature and RH were both negatively associated with storage time until failure. Flavor was a greater contributor to consumer acceptability than texture or odor, while peroxide values and free fatty acids were of greater importance in predicting raw almond consumer quality than measures of conjugated dienes or 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The results of this study will allow almond producers to determine packaging types and environmental storage conditions that provide shelf life of a specified time.

The effects of acclimation to the United States and other demographic factors on responses to salt levels in foods: An examination utilizing face reader technology.

The aim of this study was to assess the role of extended time in the United States (as defined as a continuous period greater than two years; referred to hereafter as "US Acclimated"), as well as other demographic factors, on the level of net positive response of consumers to different salt levels in food samples. One hundred panelists were recruited, including 50 meeting our US acclimation criterion. Panelists assessed samples of potatoes with five different levels of salt concentrations, and the levels of their net positive responses were evaluated with FaceReader technology (Noldus). The data of our study showed a significant positive association between US Acclimated participants and the level of net positive response to samples with higher salt contents. This interaction remained statistically significant even when modeling the effects with consideration of race/ethnicity and gender. Another notable outcome was the unexpected significant interaction between gender and US acclimation in regards to evaluated positive response across all salt concentrations (US Acclimated females demonstrating substantially and significant higher levels of positive response than US Acclimated males). The association between living in the United States and showing more positive response to higher salt contents is consistent with many persistent characterizations of the eating habits in the United States, but it is not in fact well explained by the most recent data regarding the observed levels of average sodium consumption across worldwide geographical regions. The results of this study may be demonstrating evidence of underlying as-yet-unknown factors contributing to the responses of consumers to salt levels in foods. Further examination of these possible factors may well be warranted.