BEEF ALLERGY
Key Allergens
There are 12 allergens associated with cows, 3 of them relate to an allergy to consumption of meat (rather than to the milk they produce). One of the allergenic proteins is a lipocalin, an allergen common in pet hair allergies. These proteins transport molecules like lipids and steroids around the body.
Serum albumin proteins are responsible for allergic reactions to mammalian meat in general, if allergic to many types of red meat then you may have Alpha-gal Syndrome.
If sensitised to Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) only, then you may have issues with eating beef and drinking cow's milk.
Food Intolerances
Most unprocessed meats are low FODMAP foods, beef is no different. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.
Meats are Salicylates free, so are unlikely to cause gastrointestinal food intolerance symptoms in people who are sensitive to salicylates.
You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.
Associated Syndromes
Cross Reactivity
This is also the case for Alpha-gal Syndrome, other mammalian and bird meats containing serum albumin may cause delayed IgE reactions.
About 10% of cow's milk allergy sufferers will also react to beef when consumed.
Food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Resources
Websites
Science Direct - Galactose-alpha-1-3-galactose
DermNet NZ - Tick bite induced red meat allergy
Anaphylaxis Campaign - Tick bites and allergic reactions to red meat
Articles and Journals
Addressing the emerging concern of tick-borne meat allergy in the U.S.: a call to action, 2024
Red Meat Hypersensitivity and Probable AlphaGal Syndrome: Prevalence Among Adolescents, 2024
Bos d 13, A Novel Heat-Stable Beef Allergen, 2023
The Meat of the Matter: Understanding and Managing Alpha-Gal Syndrome, 2022
Milk and cow’s meat allergy in a child: A clinical case, 2021
Red meat allergy in children and adults, 2019
The alpha-Gal syndrome: new insights into the tick-host conflict and cooperation, 2019
Bovine Serum Albumin: a double allergy risk, 2013
Beef allergy: a review of 12 cases, 2003
Anaphylaxis to cow's milk and beef meat proteins, 2002
Beef allergy in children, 2000
Molecular and crystal properties of Bos d 2, an allergenic protein of the lipocalin family, 1998
cDNA cloning and protein analysis of a bovine dermal allergen with homology to psoriasin, 1995