Photo/Illutration The Tamakona egg powder for children with an egg allergy (Kanako Tanaka)

TAKATSUKI, Osaka Prefecture--A pediatrician here gave birth to the idea of putting egg powder in sachets as an easier way for young allergy patients to discover how much of it they could safely eat.

Masahiro Enomoto, 45, who works at a medical center in Takatsuki, embarked on developing the egg powder product, called Tamakona, with his fellow physicians five years ago.

LEARNING A CHILD'S LIMITS

Traditional treatment for allergies called for patients to avoid all potential food allergy products.

However, it is currently recommended that patients identify their personal safety limits beforehand and ingest as much of the trigger food as possible within the range doctors help them determine.

This treatment policy is particularly important for children with an egg allergy.

Eating as much egg as possible could dramatically improve their lives. Their resistance to a few grams of eggs would, for example, mean they may be able to enjoy certain sweets or baked goods.

Determining a child’s limit is alike beneficial for parents, since confirming it in advance will stop parents from excessively worrying even if their child eats food containing egg without knowing it.

Patients’ limits are decided through the oral challenge test, wherein they consume about 2 grams of boiled eggs at a medical center first. If no problems are detected, the same amount is attempted at home for one to several months.

The volume of boiled eggs is then raised to 6 grams for consumption at home for another few months. The goal is for a child to be able to eat one boiled egg.

Such dietary guidance at home, however, places a heavy burden on parents, who must cook eggs every day and have their children eat only a few grams at a time. This process may need to be repeated across several months to a year.

Among many other difficulties is parents having to change the eggs’ flavor at times for children who do not like boiled eggs.

“It is sometimes difficult to boil eggs, for example, on trips and busy days,” said Enomoto.

Replacing cooked eggs with confectionery available on the market is difficult, too, given that the quantity of their egg content could be changed.

Testing at medical centers is also problematic, according to Enomoto.

The size and boiling time for eggs differs from hospital to hospital, with no standardized criteria in place. Different methods among doctors may, thus, lead to different results.

“I believe having an alternative option will lead to families being happier,” he said.

SEARCH FOR EASIER WAY

Enomoto found inspiration for developing the powder while helping children who need to avoid specific food products as an allergy specialist.

The quantity of the powder is easy to adjust so that fixed quantities can be readily used during hospital tests and can provide parents with dietary guidance for their children at home.

The product is made by turning well-cooked eggs into powder. A predetermined volume of egg protein is then put into each sachet as the substance is responsible for allergic reactions.

The powder is supposed to be mixed into juice drinks and baby food.

Enomoto tested Tamakona at an unused room at his own company by treating eggs with a dryer. The flavor was changed on many occasions, too, considering there are children who do not like the smell of cooked eggs.

When the product was nearing completion, Enomoto commissioned a food processing firm to produce it. The finished product is flavored to resemble the smell of sweet potatoes and fruits.

His first product, Tamakona 250, was marketed in November 2019, carrying a price tag of 150 yen ($1.10) per pouch before tax.

Another line in far smaller bags was released in November last year for babies, in the hope of preparing a range of variants essential for oral challenge tests.

Tamakona is now available at more than 100 hospitals nationwide. Since its commercial introduction in December 2021, Tamakona is also shipped to consumers if their doctors allow it. At least 300 people have reportedly given it a try.

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