Allergen Testing by ELISA

Allergen testing is crucial for identifying and quantifying allergens in food products before they are released, ensuring consumer safety and regulatory compliance. This process aids food manufacturers in pinpointing areas in processing facilities that require decontamination and screening raw materials used during manufacturing. In the European Union, allergen testing is mandatory, with 14 allergens requiring labeling on food products upon identification.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) techniques are commonly utilized due to their sensitivity and specificity in detecting food allergens. In ELISA, allergen proteins are immobilized onto a solid surface and exposed to specific antibodies, forming an antigen-antibody complex. Detection is facilitated through enzyme-conjugated secondary antibodies, leading to a measurable color change proportional to the allergen's presence in the food product. Quantification is achievable by running a standard curve alongside the test samples.

ELISA methods offer advantages such as high sensitivity, with detection possible at low parts per million levels. However, limitations exist, including potential cross-reactivity between allergenic and non-allergenic protein forms. CellMade^TM Laboratories, adhering to ELISA Good Laboratory Practices, employs ELISA methods selected from trusted suppliers and participates in international laboratory proficiency tests to ensure accuracy.

CellMade^TM Laboratories offers comprehensive food allergen testing services tailored to each customer's needs, including product-specific validations if required. Detailed reports are provided summarizing test findings for in-process and batch release testing, along with insights for validation purposes.