ALLERGY TO OCTYL GALLATE CAUSING STOMATITIS

Octyl gallate is an antioxidant (European Community number 311). It is used as a preservation agent in a wide variety of foods and other non -dietary substances. We report a case of a 49-year-old female with a 1 0-year history of 'burning mouth' and clinical erythema of the tongue, who, after investigation, proved to be allergic to octyl gallate. Man agement with an exclusion diet proved effective in both controlling th e burning sensation and resolving the erythema of the tongue.