Allergen Screening & Analysis

Allergen is a type of antigens that produces an exaggerated immune system response. Such reactions are called allergies. Food allergies have many symptoms, and some of these can be incredibly severe, including itching of the skin, swelling of the face, acute breathlessness, a sore throat, in extreme circumstances, even death. It is triggered by specific foods such as eggs, milk, and peanuts. It can occur within minutes of consuming a food product. Therefore, allergens must be clearly stated by manufacturers on food labels, showing food source ingredients, additives and possible contamination of products where machinery is used for multiple processes. Failure to do so can lead to financial consequences and serious health problems for the industry and customers.

Various regulations have been made to allergen information throughout the world. European Union (EU) regulation number 1169/2011, which provides food information to consumers, requires labeling and mandatory allergen information. And the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 has been made to regulate allergen information about food by the USA, including all foods: certain egg products, most meats, poultry and the majority of alcoholic beverages.

ALLERGENS THAT CAN BE ANALYZED:
Vegetable allergens
Cereals containing gluten
Soybeans and products thereof
Celery and products thereof
Lupin and products thereof
Mustard and products thereof
Sesame seeds and products thereof
Peanuts and products thereof
Nuts (e.g. almonds, pistachio nuts, hazelnut, walnut, brazil nuts, cashews, pecan nuts, macadamia or Queensland nuts)
Animal allergens
Milk and products thereof (including lactose)
Eggs and products thereof
Crustaceans and products thereof
Molluscs and products thereof
Fish and products thereof
Pseudo allergens
Sulphur dioxide