Food Allergen Testing

Q: Do your testing services cover all "Big 9" major food allergens?

Yes. Our comprehensive testing portfolio covers all nine major food allergens mandated by regulatory frameworks: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. We also offer testing capabilities for less common and regional allergens to support multi-market compliance.

The presence of allergens in food is a critical health concern that requires immediate attention. Comprehensive measures to ensure food safety and accurate labeling are crucial in protecting consumers and providing a reliable food supply.

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Testing for Unparalleled Food Safety

At Mérieux NutriSciences, we specialize in food allergen testing to safeguard your products' excellence against cross-contamination and undeclared ingredients. We thoroughly analyze allergen profiles using cutting-edge analytical tools and techniques, ensuring swift and precise results, including:

Allergen Testing Services

We offer kits and swabs for all major food and environmental allergens.

FDA “Big 9” allergens
Canadian recognized allergens
EU regulated allergens
Gluten-free testing, including fermented/hydrolyzed matrices

*Allergen swab kits are available.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

Our GMO services offer a broad array of analyses and support to meet the needs of a dynamic marketplace in an increasingly demanding regulatory environment.

Comprehensive Qualitative Screening
Event-Specific Identification
Marker and Event Quantification
Non-GMO Project Approved Customized Method
Official People’s Republic of China Method
GMO Environmental Testing

Heavy Metals

Arsenic
Mercury
Selenium
Lead
Chromium
Cadmium

Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemical substances produced by molds (fungi) that may contaminate agricultural commodities like nuts, grains cereals, spices, and dried fruit. Foods contaminated with mycotoxins can sometimes cause acute illness and are associated with increased cancer risks from long-term exposure. Merieux NutriSciences offers testing for:

Aflatoxins
Fumonisins
Patulin
Trichothecenes
Octratoxins
Fumonisins
Zearalenone
Vomitoxin (also known as: Don or deoxynivalenol)

Pesticides

Human health concerns posed by pesticides in food and feed products are prompting governments in developed and developing countries to establish strict regulatory standards for their use. Our highly skilled staff can help ensure your product meets regulatory requirements in countries around the world for over 600 different pesticides. Mérieux NutriSciences offers expert testing in:

Pesticide Residues
USDA NOP List
Natural Health Products Package
USP 561 List
Herbicide Screen
Multi-Residue Screen
Expanded Multi-Residue Screene

Allergen Insights and Resouces

Do your testing services cover all "Big 9" major food allergens?

Can environmental facility swabs be analyzed for allergen cross-contact?

Yes. In addition to raw ingredients and finished food products, we offer environmental swabbing analysis. Routine environmental monitoring helps quality assurance teams validate the effectiveness of cleaning and sanitation procedures, ensuring that shared production lines, equipment, and processing zones are free of cross-contact risks.

How do you help verify supplier and raw material claims?

Our accredited laboratory network delivers reliable, first-time-right analytical data that allows you to independently audit raw material suppliers. By verifying incoming ingredients before they enter your production stream, you can mitigate supply chain risks, catch hidden labeling discrepancies, and protect your manufacturing lines from contamination.

How much sample volume is typically required for allergen testing?

For standard laboratory food sample analysis, a minimum of 100 grams is generally recommended. If you are submitting samples across multiple product lines or combining allergen assays with other chemical testing modules, our team recommends providing separate, well-sealed sample units to ensure accurate, contamination-free processing.

What methods are used to test for food allergens?

We utilize industry-standard, validated analytical methods tailored to your product matrix and testing goals. These include Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for rapid screening of raw ingredients and surfaces, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for targeted DNA detection, and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for complex, heavily processed, fermented, or hydrolyzed foods where protein structures have been altered.

Food Allergen Testing

Testing for Unparalleled Food Safety

Allergen Testing Services

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

Heavy Metals

Mycotoxins

Pesticides

Allergen Insights and Resouces

Trace Allergen Detection Methods for Complex Food Manufacturing

What Is External Food Chemistry Testing for Compliance

Product Reformulation Through Chemistry Benchmark Testing

Frequently Asked Questions about Silliker® Food Science Center Canada

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