Everything You Need to Know About Allergen Testing

In the past, food testing mainly centred on determining whether food contained microbes and chemical contaminants. However, with the rise in the number of people with food allergies, it has become imperative to do proper allergen testing. Providing allergen-free food protects the manufacturer from lawsuits and other liabilities resulting from consumers getting sick. Here is everything you need to know about allergen testing and its importance in manufacturing, packaging and distribution. 

The Most Common Types of Allergens 

There are seven common allergens commonly found in food. These include milk, fish, eggs, shellfish, nuts, wheat and soybeans. Sesame has also been under review as a common allergen that should indicate it. However, it hasn't gotten documented as an actual allergen. Many children and adults have food allergies, and failure to test the food manufacturing for these big seven can lead to product liability suits. You can protect yourself from unexpected expenses by testing beforehand.

Problems that Occur During Processing 

Processing plants should be most vigilant about the quality of the products they place in the market. The most common technology used to detect allergens in food during processing involves a chemical that changes colour when an allergen protein is present. However, some food types can interfere with the method and let contaminated food get packaged and reach the consumer. The technique is also not ideal when handling heated or cooked food because heat denatures protein and interferes with the results.

The Benefits of Safe Food Testing

Most techniques should ensure that food gets to the consumer in its purest form. If the industry deals with processing foods considered allergens, the manufacturer adds a warning label informing the customer that the food might have an allergen. It ensures that the customer's health does not get compromised. It is also crucial to have the tests if the food processing plant is also tasked with producing the raw materials. They can use the ideal environmental measures to ensure the food doesn't become contaminated before getting into the processing systems. As a manufacturer, your brand will have more equity when you can assure consumers that your processed foods do not have allergens. 

Nutritional profiling and allergen testing are emerging and crucial parts of the food process and quality assurance process. If you are in the processing industry, you should do your best to ensure you present the best quality of food to consumers, and proper allergen testing is an excellent way. 

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