Could We See More Red Meat Allergy Cases?

Posted in Food Allergy,Our Blog on May 27, 2025

It is possible that we may see more red meat allergy cases. Is it due to the uptick in the tick populations.

Pardon the pun.

This is one of the speculations scientists have on the topic. But there is more to red meat allergy cases than the reproductive activities of these blood suckers.

What do ticks have to do with food allergies anyway?

When it comes to AGS, or alpha-gal syndrome… Everything!

I know what you are thinking.

How do you get AGS and why does this condition cause a meat allergy from tick bites? How do you know if you have this strange condition?

Let’s explore!

What Is AGS, and How Do You Get It?

Since 2007, AGS has been commonly referred to as the red meat allergy. Though it originally got on the radar in Australia between 2004 and 2007.

Since it was first documented in the United States in 2009, AGS diagnoses have shown a marked increase. In 2009 there were 24 confirmed cases. Ten years later, in 2019, that number rose to 34,000. Making it the leading cause of adult-onset allergies in the country.

Yes. Adult-onset allergies are a thing…

Since then, reports of AGS have been made across North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

Increased awareness of the condition may also contribute to dramatic increase of confirmed cases. But is there more to this theory?

But first, what causes AGS and the subsequent red meat allergy symptoms?

What Causes AGS

AGS is group of symptoms associated with an immune response to a certain antibody. More specifically, the galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) antibody.

This antibody is most commonly found in mammalian meat products. Red meat often triggers this condition.

People develop this condition after repeated bites from lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum). Though additional research has suggested that Black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) could also be a trigger. These ticks are often found on white-tailed deer throughout the southeastern and midwestern United States.

The immune system responds to these tick bites and tags them as something that it needs to remember and respond too. Something that the immune system is pretty good at. When it works appropriately.

But something interesting happens when it comes to these specific tick bite responses. That galactose-α-1,3-galactose is also found in something many Americans consume on a regular basis.

That’s right!

Meat! More specifically, red meat.

The unfortunate person who develops this immune response will likely have a reaction after consuming red meat. Some may even react to dairy products, organ meat, and other food coming from the cow.

Sad, sad, day.

What Symptoms Are Experienced with This Red Meat Allergy Response?

Some of the more common symptoms associated with AGS red meat allergy response include gastrointestinal issues like cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea. A reaction may induce hives and itching or joint pain and arthritis.

Though the most dangerous reaction includes anaphylaxis. A condition involving swelling of the airways that can become life-threatening. Anaphylaxis requires prompt action with an epi pen and likely hospitalization to monitor recurrence.

Scientists Evaluate Environmental Risk Factors

Scientists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recently published a paper in the journal, PLOS Climate. “Environmental risk and Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) in the Mid-Atlantic United States.”

These scientists evaluated the environmental risk factors associated with the increase in AGS diagnoses and overall tickborne disease diagnoses.

Their hypothesis?

“AGS risk is associated with habitat fragmentation typically seen in areas classified as open space and low intensity development that are suitable for human-tick interactions.”

Essentially, urbanization of areas previously wild. Or even the opposite. Reforestation of previously developed areas.

Additional factors such as warmer surface temperature or increased travel were also considered. As were the relative tick population changes.

Using a lot of fancy statistical models, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scientists indicated that the data supported their hypothesis.

“AGS incidence, like all [tickborne disease], is largely driven by human behaviors that increase human-tick interactions, e.g., land use change, as opposed to tick population dynamics.”

In other words. We aren’t seeing any major changes in tick population growth or evolution of these nefarious ticks. There are some changes. But it isn’t the huge population boom that you would expect with the increased AGS numbers.

No.

It is essentially the human interaction with the environment that is increasing instances of AGS and red meat allergy problems.

Go figure. “It’s me. I’m the problem. It’s me.” Taylor Swift is not wrong.

More Research is Needed

According to these scientists, “relatively little is known about the ecology of AGS, due to its recent description.”

Unlike other diseases and conditions, this one is relatively new, and little research is available on the topic. Questions like, why is there not a correlation between increased distribution of AGS cases in places where more of these ticks are found? Has tick population truly changed due to changes in the climate? Is there a way to ensure that healthcare providers understand this novel illness so that they can test and report it appropriately?

Some of this research is being performed as we speak.

Much is still needed on the topic.

Have I Unlocked a New Fear?

As if you didn’t need another reason to be careful while camping. Mosquitoes, ants, and other creepy crawlies have been on your radar. Likely ticks have been too. But for different reasons, I am sure.

This is your warning to wear protective clothing and check for ticks if you have been in areas prone to them. Your next steak could be the only warning you get that something is wrong.

Want to Learn More? Stay in Touch with Make Food Safe!

If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Could We See More Red Meat Allergy Cases?,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)