Enhancing Food Allergen Testing with Neogen's Solutions
Dec 11, 2024 at 9:00 PM
In Australia, the most prevalent reason for costly product recalls is the presence of undeclared food allergens. Recent data reveals that over the five years up to 2023, these allergens accounted for a significant 44 percent of the 438 recalls coordinated by FSANZ. Hasitha Perera, Neogen's Food Safety Business sales manager for Australia and New Zealand, has noticed a growing interest in rapid allergen testing solutions. He emphasizes the increasing prevalence of food allergies worldwide and the serious potential consequences for consumers. Governments have implemented measures like mandatory labelling requirements to enhance safeguards, making it crucial for producers and importers to be aware of all risks associated with their products. In February 2024, new allergen labelling requirements came into effect in Australia, aiming to assist consumers in making safer choices by mandating the declaration of 23 foods and ingredients.Cost Implications of Product Recalls
In addition to the public risk, product recalls can be extremely costly and time-consuming. Perera highlights the importance of producers understanding where allergens could enter their production line and being alerted promptly. Diagnostic allergen tests offer a valuable method for determining if a product has been subjected to cross-contact and for investigating how and when it occurred. These tests can be used on raw materials before production or on equipment and products at various points during the process to identify and eliminate possible risks.Neogen's Rapid Qualitative Testing Solutions
Neogen is a leader in food allergen diagnostic tests and provides both rapid qualitative and fully quantitative testing solutions. Screening tests like their Reveal product line are simple, easy to use, and provide quick results within just five minutes. These devices feature an overload line to prevent the hook effect and false negatives. They are designed to determine the presence or absence of a target allergen with ease.Neogen's Quantitative Testing Solutions
Quantifying tests, such as Neogen's Veratox, utilize ELISA technology to determine the exact parts per million (ppm) of a target allergen. Veratox can yield results in just 30 minutes of testing time. The process can be further streamlined with the StatFax 4700 plate reader, which is designed to read and calculate the results of Veratox assays automatically.Neogen's Enhanced Sensitivity Testing
More recently, Neogen introduced Veratox VIP, which offers the same ease-of-use and 30-minute time-to-result as standard Veratox allergen tests but with significantly enhanced sensitivity. VIP allows users to detect extremely low levels of target allergens in a wide variety of sample types, including heat-processed and complex samples. This provides producers with a more comprehensive tool for managing allergen risks.Unparalleled Support from Neogen
As a global company with a strong local presence in Australia and New Zealand, Neogen offers unparalleled support to its customers through a dedicated network of scientists and technical experts. Their extensive range of food quality and safety products is designed to help businesses make critical decisions confidently and quickly, improving efficiency and adding value. To learn more about allergen testing or their expanded food quality and safety product range, visit neogenaustralasia.com.au.
