{"id":456994,"date":"2025-09-28T04:10:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T04:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/456994\/"},"modified":"2025-09-28T04:10:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T04:10:16","slug":"trendy-pea-protein-loved-by-celebs-and-influencers-is-blamed-for-increase-in-deadly-allergy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/456994\/","title":{"rendered":"Trendy pea protein loved by celebs and influencers is blamed for increase in ‘deadly’ allergy"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ROSIE TAYLOR <\/p>\n

Published: 19:10 EDT, 27 September 2025 | Updated: 19:11 EDT, 27 September 2025 <\/p>\n

It is the latest food trend loved by everyone from tennis superstar Venus Williams<\/a> to TikTok<\/a> influencers, but campaigners warn that the rise of pea protein in products is risking lives.<\/p>\n

Allergy experts are concerned that a growing number of everyday foods now contain the cheap, ultra-processed additive which is derived from dried peas.<\/p>\n

They say it can trigger ‘life-threatening’ reactions, and could be behind a rise in pea allergies across the UK.<\/p>\n

It is added into everything from wraps and bagels to ice cream, and this week The Mail on Sunday found it in foods as varied as McCain Crispy Skin-On Fries, St Pierre Croissants, Herta Classic Frankfurter Hot Dogs and Candy Kitten Sour Watermelon sweets.<\/p>\n

It has also been added into the glaze on McDonald’s burger buns. Social media trends have driven a growth in demand for high-protein foods, with research suggesting they help people build muscle and manage weight.<\/p>\n

Online supermarket Ocado<\/a> said it has seen demand double year-on-year, with four in ten of its consumers increasing protein intake in 2024.<\/p>\n

Ex-Wimbledon champion Ms Williams and actor Idris Elba have jumped on the trend by investing in meal replacement shakes Happy Viking and Huel, which are both based on pea protein.<\/p>\n

But the charity Allergy UK has warned pea allergies are now ‘more common’ and can cause ‘serious reactions that may be life-threatening’.<\/p>\n

\"Allergy <\/p>\n

Allergy experts are concerned that a growing number of everyday foods now contain the cheap, ultra-processed additive which is derived from dried peas (File Image)<\/p>\n

It added: ‘The rise in pea allergy might be linked to the rise of foods containing ingredients such as pea protein and pea fibre.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Because peas are not one of the 14 EU-recognised allergens \u2013 such as gluten, soya and peanuts \u2013 food companies do not legally have to highlight the protein on packaging if they have changed a recipe to add in the ingredient.<\/p>\n

For nine-year-old Rex, who has a pea allergy, it is making everyday life a ‘nightmare’.<\/p>\n

He has twice been hospitalised in the past year after eating a hot cross bun and an ice cream which unexpectedly contained pea protein.<\/p>\n

His mother Sarah, whose surname is not being disclosed to protect her son’s privacy, said: ‘Two or three years ago, it was very easy for Rex to live with his allergy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘But now the food industry has created this completely new category of protein… peas are appearing in all sorts of foods where you would never expect to find them.’<\/p>\n

She said the lack of regulation was a nightmare for families with allergies, as pea protein was not clearly labelled and could be added into foods that were previously safe without warning.<\/p>\n

The Food Standards Agency is collecting data and reviewing whether peas should be classed as an allergen.<\/p>\n

McCain and McDonald’s said they were ‘transparent’ about ingredients. The other brands did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n

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