Allergens, a reason for many product recalls

Many products manufactured today contain one or more allergens. The dilemma for many processors is that all major allergens have to be declared, however small the amount.

Ingredients that contain protein derived from any of the 8 major allergenic foods and food groups: milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, or soybeans must be listed on the product label. These account for 90% of all food allergies.

Products may be end up containing an allergen for many reasons due mostly due to cross-contamination during manufacturing or from ingredients, often enough to force a recall of products given they are not listed on the label.

Arrow Scientific offers the latest generation of tests for Gluten, harmful to coeliac disease sufferers called GlutenTox. Researchers have developed a sensitive test to detect this major allergen in food or on equipment surfaces. Two types of tests are available, one to measure the exact quantity of gluten in a sample, and another simpler test to screen for the presence at levels of 3 ppm or more.

With minimal handling or equipment, the GlutenTox tests allow processors to test equipment or food contact surfaces for the presence of gluten before being used or after cleaning. You can also use these tests to screen incoming ingredients for gluten.