What is a malt allergy?

A malt allergy is an adverse reaction of your immune system to proteins found in barley, wheat, or rye, which are used to make malt. Symptoms of a malt allergy can include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and digestive issues. In some cases, a malt allergy can be life-threatening.

Malt is made by steeping barley, wheat, or rye grains in water and then allowing them to germinate. This process activates the enzymes in the grains that convert the starches into sugars. The germinated grains are then killed by heat and dried. The dried grains are then milled and used to make malt flour, malt extract, and other malt products.