With millions of international visitors travelling to Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, researchers examined the food allergens present in the country’s traditional milpa diet that may be unfamiliar to many travellers.
The milpa diet is based on an ancient Mesoamerican agricultural system in which crops are grown together in a mutually supportive relationship. At its core are the “Three Sisters”: maize (corn), beans and squash. Many other crops are grown within and around this core system, including chilli peppers, tomatoes, avocado, amaranth, papaya, pineapple, peanuts and various wild greens and herbs.
To better understand potential allergy risks, researchers reviewed the scientific literature on 71 foods associated with the milpa diet. They found reports of food allergy linked to 51 foods, although only 13 had clearly identified allergens: peanuts, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, corn, peas, lentils, pumpkin, chilli, papaya, pineapple, amaranth, avocado and green beans.
The most frequently identified allergenic proteins were profilins, followed by non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) and PR-10 proteins. Profilins and PR-10 proteins are generally associated with mild oral allergy symptoms, such as an itchy mouth, tingling lips and throat discomfort. In contrast, nsLTPs are more stable proteins that can trigger more severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in susceptible individuals. Peanuts were among the foods identified as containing these proteins.
PR-10 proteins were identified in only two of the 13 foods with characterised allergens, compared with profilins in eight foods and nsLTPs in seven foods.
The findings provide a useful reference for people with food allergies seeking to better understand allergen exposures within traditional Mexican foods.
Reference: Pavón Romero et al. Food allergy in the context of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Rev Alerg Mex. 2026 Jun 30;73(2):e178-e187. DOI: 10.29262/ram.v73i2.1606.
