Allergen Testing by PCR

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.

Many, but not all, food allergens can be screened using real-time PCR methods. 

• Real-time PCR targets specific DNA sequences representative for the allergen of interest. PCR is therefore highly specific and can be used for most processed food samples.
• Real-time PCR methods offer very high sensitivity.
• Multiplex real-time PCR enables simultaneous screening of multiple allergens in one single assay format
• Real-time PCR use a standardized sample preparation. Therefore, for high sample throughputs, real-time PCR tests are much more efficient than other analysis methods.
• PCR is especially suited for the detection of allergens such as celery and fish, to targets that demonstrate high cross-reactivity when using ELISA methods.
• Real-time PCR provides a quick and definitive result.

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. CellMade^TM Laboratories employs PCR methods selected from trusted suppliers and participates in international laboratory proficiency tests to ensure accuracy.