Food Allergen Testing
Food allergen testing helps manufacturers identify allergenic ingredients, evaluate potential cross-contact, and support food safety and accurate labeling. Mérieux NutriSciences provides analytical testing services for food and beverage manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and other businesses managing allergen and contaminant risks throughout production.
Testing for Unparalleled Food Safety
At Mérieux NutriSciences, we specialize in food allergen testing to help safeguard product quality and safety against cross-contact and undeclared allergenic ingredients.
Our analytical testing services support manufacturers in evaluating allergen risks across raw materials, production environments, and finished products.
We offer testing capabilities for major food allergens, gluten, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), heavy metals, mycotoxins, and pesticide residues.
Allergen Testing Services
We offer testing services, kits, and swabs for major food and environmental allergens, including:
- FDA “Big 9” allergens
- Canadian recognized allergens
- EU-regulated allergens
- Gluten-free testing, including fermented and hydrolyzed matrices
Allergen swab kits are available.
Our allergen testing services support manufacturers in evaluating potential cross-contact, verifying ingredient specifications, and making informed decisions about food safety and labeling.
Allergen Testing for Processed Foods
Detecting allergens in processed foods can be challenging because manufacturing conditions may affect the proteins or other markers used in analytical testing.
Heat treatment, fermentation, hydrolysis, and complex ingredient combinations can influence analytical performance and method suitability.
For manufacturers producing baked goods, snacks, beverages, dairy products, plant-based foods, and other processed products, selecting the appropriate testing method depends on several factors:
- Target allergen or ingredient
- Food matrix and product composition
- Processing conditions
- Intended testing application
- Analytical method capabilities and limitations
Mérieux NutriSciences supports manufacturers in evaluating allergen testing requirements for processed foods, ingredients, and finished products.
Food Allergen Testing Methods
Different analytical methods may be appropriate depending on the target allergen, product matrix, and processing conditions.
ELISA Allergen Testing
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) methods detect specific allergenic proteins and are commonly used for allergen analysis in raw ingredients, finished foods, and environmental samples.
Method suitability depends on the target allergen, food matrix, processing conditions, and analytical requirements.
PCR Allergen Testing
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods detect specific DNA sequences associated with allergenic ingredients.
PCR may provide complementary information in certain processed-food applications, although DNA detection does not directly measure allergenic protein content.
LC-MS/MS Allergen Testing
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can identify and measure targeted protein-derived peptides in food samples.
Depending on the method and matrix, LC-MS/MS may offer an alternative or complementary approach for certain complex or processed-food applications.
Selecting the Appropriate Allergen Testing Method
No single analytical method is suitable for every allergen or processed-food matrix.
Manufacturers should consider the target analyte, product composition, processing conditions, method validation, and testing objectives when selecting an approach.
Contact our Chemistry team to discuss available methods and testing requirements for your products.
Allergen Testing Across Food Production
Food allergen testing can support quality assurance and food safety programs throughout the manufacturing process.
- Raw Materials and Ingredients: Evaluate incoming materials for targeted allergens and support supplier verification programs.
- In-Process Samples: Investigate potential allergen cross-contact during manufacturing.
- Finished Products: Assess targeted allergen presence to support product specifications and labeling decisions.
- Environmental Swabs: Evaluate allergen residues on equipment and food-contact surfaces as part of cleaning verification and allergen control programs.
Mérieux NutriSciences also offers allergen swab kits for applicable manufacturing and environmental testing applications.
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Testing
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.
Our testing capabilities include:
- 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
These services help manufacturers and ingredient suppliers evaluate GMO-related product specifications and support applicable labeling and supply chain requirements.
Heavy Metals Testing
Heavy metals and other elemental contaminants can affect food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance.
Mérieux NutriSciences provides analytical testing for elements including:
- Arsenic
- Mercury
- Selenium
- Lead
- Chromium
- Cadmium
Our testing services support manufacturers in evaluating elemental concentrations in food products, ingredients, and other applicable matrices.
Mycotoxin Testing
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemical substances produced by molds (fungi) that may contaminate agricultural commodities such as nuts, grains, cereals, spices, and dried fruit.
Foods contaminated with mycotoxins can sometimes cause acute illness and are associated with increased health risks from long-term exposure.
Mérieux NutriSciences offers testing for:
- Aflatoxins
- Fumonisins
- Patulin
- Trichothecenes
- Ochratoxins
- Zearalenone
- Vomitoxin (also known as DON or deoxynivalenol)
Mycotoxin testing helps manufacturers and ingredient suppliers evaluate potential contamination and support product safety and quality requirements.
Pesticide Residue Testing
Human health concerns posed by pesticides in food and feed products are prompting governments around the world to establish regulatory standards for their use.
Our analytical chemistry team supports manufacturers in evaluating pesticide residues and applicable regulatory requirements.
Mérieux NutriSciences offers testing capabilities covering more than 600 pesticides, including:
- Pesticide Residues
- USDA NOP List
- Natural Health Products Package
- USP 561 List
- Herbicide Screen
- Multi-Residue Screen
- Expanded Multi-Residue Screen
Our pesticide testing services support manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and other food businesses in evaluating product specifications and regulatory requirements across domestic and international markets.