Gelatin is widely used in the food and health industry, including vaccines. But there are times, this material can cause allergic reactions.
Gelatin is a protein made from animals that contain collagen, which is material that forms bone and cartilage. Generally, gelatin is obtained from bones and skin parts hidden from cows and pigs, and fish skin.
This is why gelatin is often used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, strengthen joints and bones, and lose weight. Some people also use gelatin to speed recovery after exercise or injury, and also to improve hair quality. When in fact there are no research results that are accurate enough to prove the effectiveness of this material to deal with these conditions.
In the food industry, gelatin is widely used in candy, yogurt, jelly, wine and juice, and frozen desserts. In addition, gelatin is also used for the production of cosmetics, food, and medicines, to medicinal capsule ingredients. Gelatin is also used as one of the ingredients in colloid infusion fluids.
Although there are times when it causes discomfort in the stomach such as heartburn, flatulence, fullness in the stomach, and belching, gelatin is generally safe for most people to consume.
However, it turns out some people need to be aware of the consumption of gelatin due to certain conditions.
Gelatin Allergy and Vaccines
Allergy or sensitivity to gelatin is sometimes detected when a person consumes certain foods or drinks, for example Marshmallow. Therefore, be careful if foods such as marshmallows or chewy candy make your tongue or child itch or even swell. If needed, you can see a doctor to make sure there is an allergy.
This is important when you will get certain vaccines that can contain gelatin, such as the flu vaccine. Besides being contained in pharmaceutical products, gelatin is used to stabilize live vaccines. There are some cases that reveal the existence of children who experience allergic reactions to the gelatin content in vaccines such as MMR.
This allergic reaction can occur when someone inhales or gets an injection of a vaccine containing gelatin.
In Indonesia, this has become a hot topic several times because what is used in vaccines is pork gelatin. The Food and Drug Research Institute of MUI (LP POM MUI) states that the Mencevac ACW135Y meningitis vaccine is permitted due to an emergency. But in 2010, the distribution of this vaccine was stopped because there was an Menveo ACW135Y Meningitis vaccine that had received halal certification from MUI. Mencevac ACW135Y is considered haram because it uses the element of pigs in its growth media.
In addition, although it is unlikely, some people worry about the use of gelatin in the production process because the gelatin used can be contaminated with diseases that attack animal tissues, such as mad cow disease.
The level of gelatin that is safe for the human body is not known with certainty, but certainly varies depending on health conditions, age, and several other conditions. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are advised to avoid consumption of products containing gelatin because there has been no research on safe doses of gelatin in this group.
Remember that even gelatin contained in natural or herbal products is not necessarily safe, so it is important to follow the instructions for use and the rules of use of a product.
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