Veal and beef come from the same animal – cows However, there are some key differences between veal and beef that can result in someone being allergic to veal but not beef.
What is Veal?
Veal comes from young calves, usually less than 20 weeks old. Veal calves are fed a milk-based diet and raised in confinement. This results in pale, delicate meat that is lower in fat than beef from older cattle. Popular veal dishes include breaded cutlets, sautéed medallions, and osso bucco.
What is Beef?
Beef comes from older cattle usually over 2 years of age. Beef cattle are fed a plant-based diet and allowed to roam and graze. This results in darker, more strongly flavored meat that has more fat marbling than veal. Common beef dishes include steaks, roasts and ground beef.
Allergenic Differences Between Veal and Beef
While veal and beef come from the same animal, there are some key differences that can result in an allergy to one but not the other:
Age of the Animal
Veal comes from very young animals while beef is from older cattle. The age of the animal affects the type and amount of proteins present. Veal has lower amounts of some proteins that increase with the animal’s age. Someone allergic to those specific proteins may be able to eat veal but not beef.
Diet of the Animal
The milk-based diet of veal calves results in differences in fat content and flavor profiles compared to the plant-based diet of older cattle. It also impacts the amino acid profile. Someone sensitive to compounds present in higher amounts in beef but not veal may have issues with only beef.
Preparation Method
Veal is often breaded and fried in cutlet form, while beef is more often grilled or roasted. The high cooking temperature of grilling denatures proteins more than frying does. Someone allergic to proteins changed by high heat may tolerate veal better.
Frequency of Consumption
Beef is eaten much more often than veal in many cultures. Repeated exposure to beef proteins may sensitize someone to beef who can still tolerate veal eaten infrequently.
Shared Allergens Between Veal and Beef
While veal and beef have some different proteins, they do share many similar allergens:
- Serum albumin
- Hemoglobin
- Gamma globulin proteins
Someone allergic to these shared proteins would likely react to both meats. There are also individuals who react to all mammalian meat, including veal, beef, pork, and lamb due to an allergy to alpha-gal.
Cross-Reactivity with Other Meats
In addition to potential beef cross-reactivity, those with a veal allergy should use caution with:
- Lamb – this is the most common meat that cross-reacts with veal
- Goat – goat meat contains similar allergens to veal and lamb
- Buffalo – buffalo is in the same family as cows and contains similar proteins
Diagnosing a Veal Allergy
If you suspect a veal allergy, see an allergist for testing. Common diagnostic options include:
- Skin prick testing with raw veal extract
- Blood tests checking for immunoglobulin E antibodies to veal
- Oral food challenge where veal is consumed in office under medical supervision
This testing can help determine if a veal allergy exists and if beef also triggers a reaction. Your allergist may recommend carry epinephrine if your reaction history indicates a risk of anaphylaxis.
Living with a Veal Allergy
If you have a veal allergy but can tolerate beef, be vigilant when eating out to ensure you are not accidentally served veal. A few tips:
- Inform your server of your veal allergy and confirm beef is used in menu items.
- Check ingredient labels to look for veal stock or broth in sauces.
- Ask questions when meat is not specifically identified, like in lasagna or sausage.
- Carry emergency epinephrine in case of accidental exposure.
With proper precautions, those with just a veal allergy should be able to safely enjoy other meats, including beef. Work closely with your allergist when navigating food allergies.
While veal and beef originate from the same animal, there are differences between them that can lead to an isolated allergy to just veal. Age, diet, preparation method, and frequency of consumption may all play a role. Diagnosis of a veal allergy versus beef allergy involves testing to specific proteins in each meat. Living with a veal allergy requires diligence when dining out and reading labels. With caution, people allergic to only veal can usually still enjoy beef and other meats safely.
The cancer drug cetuximab
People with antibodies related to alpha-gal syndrome can have allergic reactions to the cancer drug cetuximab (Erbitux).
Research appears to show that cases of this drug allergy are linked to alpha-gal syndrome. The immune system makes antibodies that attack alpha-gal. These antibodies also seem to attack the drug’s structure.
Health care providers dont yet know why some people get alpha-gal syndrome after exposure and others dont. The condition mostly happens in the south, east and central United States. Youre at higher risk if you live or spend time in these regions and:
- Spend a lot of time outdoors.
- Have gotten multiple Lone Star tick bites.
In the last 20 to 30 years, a lot of Lone Star ticks have been found as far north as Maine. This tick also has been found as far west as central Texas and Oklahoma.
Alpha-gal syndrome also happens in other parts of the world. This includes parts of Europe, Australia, Asia, South Africa, and South and Central America. In those places, bites from certain types of ticks also appear to raise the risk of the condition.
Alpha-gal syndrome can cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. It can be deadly without treatment. Anaphylaxis is treated with prescription medicine called epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. You can give yourself a shot of epinephrine with a device called an auto-injector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others). You also need to go to the emergency room.
Anaphylaxis symptoms can include:
- Tight, narrow airways.
- Swelling of the throat that makes it hard to breathe.
- A serious drop in blood pressure, called shock.
- Rapid pulse.
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, or passing out
People who have a lot of anaphylaxis for no clear reason may have alpha-gal syndrome, according to doctors. They just havent been diagnosed with it.
The best way to prevent alpha-gal syndrome is to avoid areas where ticks live. Be careful in wooded, bushy areas with long grass. You can lower your risk of getting alpha-gal syndrome by following some simple tips:
- Cover up. Put on clothes that will keep you safe when you’re in grassy or wooded areas. Put on shoes, long pants with your socks tucked in, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and gloves. Plus, stay on the trails and don’t walk through low bushes or long grass. Also, keep your dog on a leash.
- Use bug spray. Apply insect repellent with 20% or more of the ingredient DEET to your skin. If you’re a parent, spray your kids with bug spray. Avoid their hands, eyes and mouths. Remember that chemical repellents can be dangerous, so be sure to carefully follow the directions. Use permethrin-containing products on clothing or buy clothes that have already been treated.
- Do your best to tick-proof your yard. Clear brush and leaves where ticks live. Keep woodpiles in sunny areas.
- Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks. When you get home from being in the woods or on the grass, be careful.
- Its helpful to shower as soon as you come indoors. Ticks will often stay on your skin for hours before they attach. Take a shower and try to get rid of any ticks with a washcloth.
- Remove a tick with tweezers as soon as possible. Gently grasp the tick near its head or mouth. Dont squeeze or crush the tick. Pull it off with a careful, steady grip. Once youve removed the entire tick, throw it out. Put on an antiseptic where it bit you. That can help prevent an illness.
Jeff Olsen: While youre enjoying a hike, ticks are looking for a ride.
Dr. Bobbi Pritt: They get themselves in a position. And they will climb up the nearest object, like this blade of grass here.
Jeff Olsen: Its called questing.
Dr. Robert Pritt: Its legs are spread out, which lets it grab hosts as they walk by.
Jeff Olsen: You can lessen the chances youll become a host.
Dr. Bobbi Pritt: Using insect repellents is a good idea.
Jeff Olsen: Mayo Clinic parasitic diseases expert Dr. Bobbi Pritt suggests permethrin for your clothing and gear.
Dr. Bobbi Pritt: You can really saturate your gear. Leave them out to dry, and, then, the next day, wear them.
Jeff Olsen: Use permethrin on materials and DEET on skin. Spray the DEET repellent on exposed skin, including your legs and hands. Avoid your face, but be sure to protect your neck. Then, tuck your pants into your socks. And, on your hike, remember to avoid areas where those questing ticks may be perched.
Dr. Bobbi Pritt: Thats why you want to stay away from the tall grasses. Stay in the middle.
Jeff Olsen: For the Mayo Clinic News Network, Im Jeff Olsen.
- Steinke JW, et al. The alpha-gal story: Lessons learned from connecting the dots. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2015;135:589.
- Platts-Mills TA, et al. The discovery of IgE 50 years later. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2016;116:179.
- Platts-Mills TA, et al. IgE in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2016;137:1662.
- Commins SP. Allergy to meats. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 25, 2020.
- Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 3, 2018.
- Meat allergy. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://acaai. org/allergies/types/food-allergies/types-food-allergy/meat-allergy. Accessed April 13, 2018.
- Carter MC, et al. Finding out if people who have been diagnosed with idiopathic anaphylaxis are sensitive to alpha-gal Allergy. 2017; doi:10. 1111/all. 13366.
- Lone Star tick a concern, but not for Lyme disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www. cdc. gov/stari/disease/index. html. Accessed April 13, 2018.
- Preventing tick bites. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www. cdc. gov/ticks/avoid/on_people. html. Accessed April 13, 2018.
- Berg EA, et al. Drug allergens and food—the cetuximab and galactose-α-1,3-galactose story. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2014;112:97.
- Anaphylaxis. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. http://www. aaaai. org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/anaphylaxis. Accessed May 20, 2018.
- Sicherer SH. Management of food allergy: Avoidance. https://www. uptodate. com/contents/search. Accessed Feb. 25, 2020.
- Alpha-gal allergy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www. cdc. gov/ticks/alpha-gal/index. html. Accessed June 2, 2020.
- Alpha-gal and red meat allergy. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://www. aaaai. org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/alpha-gal. Accessed June 2, 2020.
- AskMayoExpert. Food Allergy. Mayo Clinic; 2020.
- Platts-Mills T, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Patients with the α-Gal Syndrome. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2020; doi:10. 1016/j. jaip. 2019. 09. 017. Accessed Oct. 19, 2022.
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Can You be Allergic to Meat??
Can you be allergic to beef?
In exceptionally rare instances, the allergic reaction may extend to milk or dairy proteins and gelatin. At the same time, various studies have demonstrated that cooking meat properly or employing methods like freeze-drying can reduce the allergenic properties of beef. To confirm the diagnosis, your allergist may recommend a series of tests.
Which meats should one avoid?
You should limit or avoid processed meat products such as sausages, salami, pate and beefburgers, because these are generally high in fat and salt. Also limit meat products in pastry, such as pies and sausage rolls. Choose lean cuts, if you are buying pre-packed meat, check the nutrition label to see how much fat it contains and compare products. Prepare turkey and chicken without the skin, as these are lower in fat (or remove the skin before cooking).
Can you eat meat if you have a meat allergy?
With a true meat allergy, the body’s immune system will overreact whenever you consume the type of meat that you’re allergic to. The response can be rapid (as with a pork allergy) or it can take a few hours for symptoms to emerge, as is the case with beef and alpha-gal allergies.
Can you eat beef if you have a chicken allergy?
People who can’t eat beef may not be aware that meat from sheep can cause symptoms, and chicken allergies may really be due to a cross-reaction caused by fish allergy. Researchers have found a number of links between meat allergies and other foods too, especially with a primary beef allergy (not caused by alpha-gal).