Jackfruit has become increasingly popular in the United States, especially as a plant-based substitute for pulled pork and other meats. Although jackfruit allergy is considered rare, allergic reactions can occur and may occasionally be severe.
Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) belongs to the Moraceae family, which also includes figs and mulberries. Published reports have linked jackfruit allergy particularly with birch pollen allergy and natural rubber latex allergy.
What Are the Symptoms of Jackfruit Allergy?
Symptoms may begin within minutes of eating jackfruit and can range from mild irritation to a serious allergic reaction.
Possible symptoms include:
- Itching or tingling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat
- Hives or generalized itching
- Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Coughing or wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Throat tightness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Anaphylaxis
Emergency Warning
Difficulty breathing, significant throat or tongue swelling, wheezing, fainting, or symptoms involving multiple body systems may indicate anaphylaxis. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, and emergency medical care should be obtained immediately.
Jackfruit and Birch Pollen Allergy
One of the most interesting features of jackfruit allergy is its relationship with birch pollen allergy.
Birch pollen contains a major allergen called Bet v 1. Similar proteins occur in certain fruits and vegetables. The immune system of someone sensitized to birch pollen may recognize these similar proteins when that person eats certain plant foods.
This phenomenon is called pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS), also commonly called oral allergy syndrome.
Researchers have identified a Bet v 1-related allergen in jackfruit. People with birch pollen allergy may therefore experience itching, tingling, or swelling of the mouth or throat after eating jackfruit.
Although pollen-food allergy syndrome is often limited to the mouth and throat, more significant reactions to jackfruit have also been reported.
Jackfruit and Latex Allergy
Jackfruit has also been associated with reactions in people who have natural rubber latex allergy.
Latex allergy can cross-react with proteins found in certain plant foods, a condition known as latex-fruit syndrome. Better-known associated foods include banana, avocado, kiwi, and chestnut.
Several published cases have described anaphylaxis after eating jackfruit in patients with latex allergy. However, the precise proteins responsible for the proposed jackfruit-latex cross-reaction are still being investigated.
Having latex allergy does not automatically mean that you will be allergic to jackfruit. However, a history of latex allergy is important information to discuss with an allergist if you have reacted to jackfruit.
Can Cooked Jackfruit Still Cause an Allergy?
Cooking should not automatically be assumed to make jackfruit safe.
Some pollen-related food allergens are sensitive to heat, which is why certain people with pollen-food allergy syndrome tolerate cooked foods better than raw foods.
However, research on jackfruit has identified heat-stable IgE-reactive proteins, including proteins found after boiling different portions of the fruit and seeds.
For this reason, someone with a suspected jackfruit allergy should not intentionally experiment with cooked, canned, dried, or raw jackfruit without appropriate medical guidance.
Where Is Jackfruit Found?
Jackfruit may appear in more foods than people realize. It can be sold as:
- Fresh jackfruit
- Dried jackfruit or jackfruit chips
- Canned jackfruit
- Frozen jackfruit
- Jackfruit tacos
- Vegan pulled “pork”
- Meat substitutes
- Curries
- Smoothies
- Desserts
- Jackfruit flour or specialty food products
People with a confirmed allergy should carefully review ingredient lists and ask about ingredients when eating prepared foods.
How Is Jackfruit Allergy Diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a detailed history of the reaction, including:
- What form of jackfruit was eaten
- How much was eaten
- How quickly symptoms developed
- What symptoms occurred
- Whether treatment was required
- Whether the patient has birch pollen, latex, or other food allergies
Depending on the situation, an allergist may consider skin testing, prick-to-prick testing using the food, serum-specific IgE testing, or a medically supervised oral food challenge.
A positive allergy test by itself does not necessarily prove that eating jackfruit will cause symptoms. Test results must be interpreted together with the patient’s clinical history.
Should People With Birch or Latex Allergy Avoid Jackfruit?
Routine avoidance of jackfruit is not necessary simply because someone has birch pollen or latex allergy.
However, patients with these allergies should be aware of the potential association. Anyone who develops mouth itching, hives, swelling, breathing problems, or another reproducible reaction after eating jackfruit should stop eating it and discuss the reaction with an allergist.
Patients who have experienced a serious systemic reaction should receive individualized counseling about avoidance and whether they should carry an epinephrine auto-injector.
The Bottom Line
Jackfruit allergy is uncommon but real. Published cases include both pollen-food allergy syndrome and severe systemic reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Two associations are particularly important:
- Birch pollen allergy, because jackfruit contains proteins related to the major birch allergen Bet v 1.
- Latex allergy, because several cases of jackfruit anaphylaxis have occurred in latex-allergic patients.
If you develop symptoms after eating jackfruit, especially throat swelling, hives, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, an evaluation by a board-certified allergist can help determine whether jackfruit allergy or cross-reactivity is responsible.