Food Allergen Testing In The Food Production Industry
In the food industry allergens pose significant risks and are recognized as a primary cause of disruptive recalls which are very costly, resulting in lost business and diminished consumer confidence. For manufacturers that utilize known allergens as ingredients, establishing and documenting a comprehensive food allergen testing program is a critical component of a Food Safety Management System. A food allergy manifests as an adverse food reaction in relation to the immune system when the body produces an allergic or immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody to a food. Exposure to an allergen for an allergic individual can result in anaphylactic shock and, in extreme cases, death. Of the estimated 15 million individuals in the United States who are affected by food allergies, most are children.
Manufacturers in the United States that utilize any of the “Big Eight Allergens” as ingredients (or food) must have a risk assessment and food safety management system that describes procedures for controlling allergenic foods and ingredients. The eight major allergenic foods in the U.S. are referred to as the Big-8, which includes milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybean. These foods account for about 90% of all food allergies in the United States and must be declared on any processed food according to the USA food allergen labeling act known as “FALCPA.” The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act became law in 2004. This law ensures that there would be clearer labeling of food for the millions of people with food allergies. FALCPA went into effect on January 01, 2006.
Following strict adherence to our established QA/QC program, Great Plains Analytical Laboratory conducts food allergen testing with scientific expertise in food safety and quality testing. Our services include analyses in a wide variety of sample matrices from sources such as feed, grains, pasta, bakery products, cereal, ingredients, snacks, confectionery, dairy, vegetables, seafood, fats, oils, meats, and pet food. These services are provided by an experienced staff of chemists, microbiologists, food technologists, and technicians in a state of the science lab testing and food safety facility.
Testing of food products, as well as environmental swabs and sponges, can help you provide a properly labeled, regulatory compliant product to your customers. If you would like more information in regards to how GPAL can assist you with food allergen testing your production facilities allergen control plan, contact us today!
