Detection of Allergens in Food Products
Allergens are a growing concern for food producers and people suffering from allergies. European regulations state that any of the 14 designated allergens must be declared on the food packaging if these are contained in the ingredients list.
Since allergic components may be present in relatively low quantities, there is a need for sensitive analytical methods. Within TNO Triskelion, a variety of methods has been developed for the traceability of small amounts of allergens in the food production chain. ELISA detection methods are especially useful for the detection of the intact allergic protein. In addition, DNA based methods such as PCR provide additional value in the traceability of allergens even after processing. The combination of these two technologies allows reliable detection and tracing of allergens throughout the complete food production chain.