Rapeseed oil allergy

[Wavyheaded]

Has anyone heard of this?

Through elimination my DP has discovered an allergy/intolerance to rapseseed oil, every time he has something that contains it he gets IBS-type symptoms, mainly diahorrea. It's a really hard one to deal with because it's not part of the 14 'known allergens' that food businesses HAVE to prepare for. When we go out for a meal we have to ask the staff and they often don't know/haven't heard of rapeseed oil, so it makes it hard to order/buy food/go out!

I've read online that many people suspect rapeseed oil is causing an allergy and that it could be the hidden cause of many people's IBSs. I don't know the science behind it though I do know that rapeseed oil is a genetically modified crop, which doesn't sound natural to me.

It's also a 'hidden' ingredient in foods as it's often labelled as just "vegetable oil" so most people don't know about it, which makes it even harder to know if something has it in! (veg oil is usually rapeseed oil, soybean oil, or a combination of both.)

Does anyone know/heard about this? And how does one go about getting an allergy recognised as one of the 'known' allergens that businesses have to be aware of?

Hi, my son has the same problem and has done since very young (now nearly 18) we've slowly learnt what kicks it off and use only trusted takeaways etc, his is specifically corn and corn oil. The big ones to watch out for are things like biscuits and pastry products and more obviously corn based snacks (tortillas for example)

It's more commonly as canola oil in Oz. But yes, usually falls under vegetable oil on labels. Perhaps only eating freshly prepared meals when out? Sushi would be pretty safe, there's not much to it.

Yes, I suffer from IBS symptoms after using rapeseed oil

It is definitely a problem.

I first made the connection after an egg mayo sarnie made with Hellmans. It was delicious but within an hour I felt sick, bloated and with a "tight" intestine at the same time, if that makes sense. Symptoms progressed to feeling like I had a full-blown hangover, unlikely as I don't drink - nausea, headache, stomach discomfort, extreme fatigue, and lasted for 6 - 12 hours.

This happened a few times until I made the connection. Hellmans is, sadly, not the only culprit. Because it is so cheap nearly all food manufacturers seem to have switched to rapeseed instead of any other vegetable oil.

I am also sensitive to rapeseed oil; however I have a hyperkinetic gall bladder. If you frequently have cramping and diarrhea after eating fats, ask for a HIDA scan and/or a trial of cholestyramine. These fats and oils may overstimulate the gall bladder to release too much bile too fast. If it is not all absorbed in the small intestine, it causes those symptoms upon entering the large intestine.

I have problems with it as well. I cook most things at home and tend to stick to things I know I'm safe with but I definitely have trouble if I consume Rapeseed and when the bloody things are in flower nearby I can barely function.

I have also had severe reactions after consuming rapeseed oil containing foods. I had horrendous crushing pain in my chest/ back/ arms and could barely breathe - this happened twice in 3 months and both times we called an ambulance.

I had a reaction again last night, but managed to stay out of hospital by quickly reacting to the initial symptoms and using the meds prescribed by GP. Was still in agony for hours though ☹️

Same here. Triggers awful digestive issues for days (even weeks if I was to eat from a chipshop that fries in rapeseed oil). It’s suddenly added to everything

Rapeseed grown in EU or UK is not GM and I doubt any is imported because we grow a lot for industrial use.
Many are allergic to rape pollen so oil quite likely affects some also, with serious allergies it’s very hard to eat out, if I was affected I woul take my own plate that I knew was safe, and holiday self catering

I have a problem with rapeseed oil. I have Crohn's and decided not to go down the drug route. I have been in remission for 4 years now, and, in 2017, discovered through the process of elimination that rapeseed oil was causing symptoms.

I have been screaming and shouting about rapeseed oil for years. I have contacted food companies, allergy organizations etc. Allergy to rapeseed oil is real. Rapeseed oil was originally used in cattlefeed and engine lubricant, then in Canada a version of the rapeseed plant that humans could consume was developed and the oil was called Canola oil. A compound called erucic acid in rape seed oil is toxic to humans. Canola oil had acceptable levels of this erucic acid in it but levels are now rising causing concern and rapeseed oil is gradually becoming a recognised allergen. I personally have a very bad reaction to it and meet more and more people with the same experience. I am from a scientific background and have done a lot of research on this. swansoneurope.com/.../swanson-europe-the-hidden... is just an example of what is being said.

Interesting thread. There are rape fields near us and I am allergic to the pollen and was wondering today if the oil was an allergen.

What oil do you use for cooking? I have literally just bought some rapeseed as read that olive oil should not be used for roasting/frying etc and to use rapeseed instead. Is vegetable oil not rapeseed?

When the flowers die down and turn black, they release a gas which can trigger asthma attacks. The pollen makes my hayfever go crazy. I use sunflower oil and soya bean oil for roasting/frying, then olive oil for anything else. Vegetable oil on the label could be a combination of oils. Various nut oils are also available but are pricey.

The fact that rapeseed is added to almost all processed food now is shocking. The amount the average person must be eating every day must be very high. Wouldn’t be surprised if this is known as the rapeseed generation one day.

Yes, that is what worries me too!

Anyone with an allergy should be very careful to steer clear of processed foods because it’s impossible to guarantee that traces of allergens are present. So cook your own food from ingredients you know are safe and if your allergy is serious don’t eat any food that you have not prepared.

Thanks Nain5. What time of year do they turn black and die out if interest?

Will get some sunflower oil!

DH has a severe reaction to rapeseed oil but it's mainly a chronic skin rash not IBS. It's debilitating, and rapeseed is everywhere.

But it's not an issue apparently as it's not a known allergen 🙄

Depends what part of the UK you live in May/June here in Wales but varies slightly depending on whether we have a late or early spring

Not yet but ....
20/04/2007 · The first person to be diagnosed with oilseed rape allergy was a farmer aged 30, from Sweden. The patient was diagnosed by Dr Colldahl in 1954, and was found to be suffering severe rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma when OSR was grown in close proximity to his house. He had no family history of allergy [13].
and...
Oilseed rape produces VOCs that do become airborne. The reason the plant produces these VOCs is to stop herbivores from eating them. VOCs can cause irritation of the upper respiratory system with a range of symptoms from eye irritation, coughs and even bronchial conditions. These symptoms are almost identical to those of hay fever.
also...
29/05/2007 · Maureen Jenkins, of Allergy UK, said: 'Rapeseed produces volatile oils in the atmosphere which irritate sensitive airways. Anyone with hayfever or asthma may find symptoms worsening if passing...

Just found a Facebook group called Allergy/Intolerance to Rapeseed Oil www.facebook.com/groups/2559290357689728/ Loads of advice!!

Wow, I'm so glad you posted this. I discovered I'm intolerant to Rapeseed oil early this year (process of elimination).
Everywhere I looked said it's extremely rare - it's a bloody nightmare as its in everything! Lots of places have switched to using it because of the sunflower oil shortage.

It is no longer rare (if it ever was) you are not alone!

I have UC and cut out rapeseed on a hunch since June. It's in everything especially bread and pastries, so its tricky to avoid. I make all my own bread which is a pain but my symptoms have disappeared. They come back if I eat it and I also get eczema on my hand if I eat it too. Evil stuff.

I agree- I don’t believe it’s rare at all! The amount of people now who live with daily digestive ‘issues,’ headaches or migraines, skin issues, behavioural issues in children, etc etc.
I teach, and the amount of children with allergies/stomach issues/ migraines is madness. I took them away to camp in the summer and it would take me over an hour, twice a day, to administer all the medication. The head teacher said that 15 years ago, there was no or very little medication administered daily during camp.
This obviously could be unrelated, but when the children are eating eggs fried in ‘vegetable’ rapeseed oil, with bread baked with rapeseed, slathered in margarine (80% rapeseed) just for breakfast, you have to wonder. Even the croissants and pancakes have it in. Their lunch is more rapeseed bread, crisps with rapeseed, mayo with rapeseed, cake with rapeseed, biscuits with rapeseed…the list goes on. This is all new to the human body.