Swedish scientists have developed an apple with a reduced amount of a protein known to cause allergic reactions.

The protein Mal d 1, found in certain plant-derived foods such as strawberries, carrots, celery and apples, causes symptoms including the swollen lips, tongue and throat after ingestion. It is similar to a protein found in birch pollen, and people are generally allergic to both, with a substantial proportion of the population in northern Europe suffering from the condition.

Previous studies have shown that some apple varieties such as Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Cox are highly allergenic, containing high levels of Mal d 1, whereas some local cultivars such as Gloster, Jamba and Belle de Boskoop appear to be low-allergenic.

Scientists at the department of crop science at SLU in Balsgård, southern Sweden hope the apples will appeal to the growing allergen-free food and beverage market.

The scientists say they are investigating the best growing conditions for the apple and it will most likely be available in four to five years.

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