Food Allergy and Intolerance Testing
 RSSL is one of the few laboratories in the UK that offers the detection of allergenic materials in house. RSSL uses the latest techniques to test for 13 of the 14 allergens listed in Annex IIIa of the Labelling Directive 2000/13/EC and more.
Allergen analysis can be carried out using immunological, DNA, distillation and gas chromatography techniques, depending on the allergen to be detected. These techniques can assist you not only with routine screening for allergenic materials in products for due diligence purposes but also in labelling and customer complaint situations.
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) techniques which are based on antigen-antibody interactions can be used to determine the presence of:
- Peanut
- Hazelnut
- Almond
- Sesame
- Soya
- Milk (casein and beta-lactoglobulin)
- Egg
- Histamine
RSSL are experts in the analysis of food using molecular biology techniques and have developed DNA technology for the detection of specific allergens in food. The assay uses Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify DNA sequences unique to specific allergens.
Currently by PCR we can identify:
- Peanut • Pistachio
- Walnut • Cashew
- Hazelnut • Celery
- Brazil Nut • Mustard
- Almond • Kiwi
- Macadamia • Crustacean
- Pecan • Lupin
- Chestnut • Pinenut
- Fish
Analysis of sulphites can also be carried out within our analytical chemistry department.
To complement the allergen testing services, RSSL can also offer:
- Allergen specific HACCP training and consultancy
- Process troubleshooting
- Environmental monitoring and sample protocols
- Establishing on-site allergen testing QC facilities
- Validation of methodology for difficult matrices
- Allergen awareness training
RSSL's Emergency Response Service (ERS) can provide a rapid response to product contamination issues. External Links (a link opens in a new window)
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