PINEAPPLE ALLERGY
Key Allergens
Pineapple is in the Bromeliaceae family of plants. Plants in this family are almost always found in South America.
Ana c 1 is a profilin protein, this is a panallergen known to sometimes cause allergy reactions in multiple foods containing similar proteins.
Ana c 2 is called bromelain. This has been known to cause IgE mediated allergies and symptoms most often related to the respiratory system. This biochemical is commonly extracted from pineapple and used in cosmetics and food production where it is frequently used as a meat tenderiser (which is why your lips may tingle when eating pineapple).
Bromelain is a papain, which is the active constituent in latex-related fruits, this is a protein which can cause cross reactivity with latex.
Ana c 1 is a profilin protein, this is a panallergen known to sometimes cause allergy reactions in multiple foods containing similar proteins.
Ana c 2 is called bromelain. This has been known to cause IgE mediated allergies and symptoms most often related to the respiratory system. This biochemical is commonly extracted from pineapple and used in cosmetics and food production where it is frequently used as a meat tenderiser (which is why your lips may tingle when eating pineapple).
Bromelain is a papain, which is the active constituent in latex-related fruits, this is a protein which can cause cross reactivity with latex.
Food Intolerances
Pineapple is a low FODMAP food. 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.
Fresh pineapple is a food high in salicylates (but pineapple juice alone can be low). Salicylates have the potential to cause worsening of asthma, swelling, itching and hives as well as 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
If you suffer from pineapple allergy and other foods mentioned in the cross reactivity section below you may suffer from Latex Food Syndrome.
Allergy to pineapple is sometimes linked to Celery-Mugwort-Spice Syndrome as the sensitising allergen is a profilin protein called Art v 4, these proteins are also sometimes also called Bet v 2 proteins.
Allergy to pineapple is sometimes linked to Celery-Mugwort-Spice Syndrome as the sensitising allergen is a profilin protein called Art v 4, these proteins are also sometimes also called Bet v 2 proteins.
Cross Reactivity
If sensitised to pineapple you may also be allergic to banana, papaya, avocado, chestnut, corn, kiwi, pomegranate and latex.
Other foods containing plant profilin proteins include pineapple, kiwi, celery, peanut, chilli, watermelon, muskmelon, hazelnut, orange, carrot, strawberry, soya beans, barley, walnut, lychee, lupin, apple, banana, dates, cherry, almond, peach, pear, mustard, tomato, aubergine and wheat.
Note that these food lists are not exhaustive. The most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Other foods containing plant profilin proteins include pineapple, kiwi, celery, peanut, chilli, watermelon, muskmelon, hazelnut, orange, carrot, strawberry, soya beans, barley, walnut, lychee, lupin, apple, banana, dates, cherry, almond, peach, pear, mustard, tomato, aubergine and wheat.
Note that these food lists are not exhaustive. The most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Resources
Websites
Allergen Encyclopedia - Pineapple
Allergy information for: Pineapple (Ananas comosus )
ATP Science - Salicylate Foods
Articles and Journals
IgE food sensitization and self-reported symptoms in a school-aged cohort from Honduras, 2024
Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis, 2023
The many flavors of pineapple reactions, 2019
Prevalence of oral allergy syndrome in children with allergic diseases, 2017
Allergy to latex and papain, 1995
Systemic allergic reaction and diarrhoea after pineapple ingestion, 1993
Asthma caused by bromelain: an occupational allergy, 1988
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