Food allergens are considered to be able to exert systemic allergic
reactions only after they have been absorbed through the intestinal
mucosa (Astwood, Leach, & Fuchs, 1996). As a result, the
resistance of the IgE binding capacity of an allergen towards digestion
in the human gastro-intestinal tract is considered an important
factor. Heat processing may affect the digestibility of a
protein. Taking into account that most foods are being consumed
after some kind of heat processing, the digestibility of pre-heated
allergens is an important characteristic as well.