Neogen expands food allergen testing with Reveal 3-D food extraction buffer

19 Oct 2020 --- Neogen Corporation has launched a new food extraction method, expanding the capabilities of its Reveal 3-D food allergen testing for almond, coconut, egg, hazelnut, peanut and soy.

The new Reveal 3-D Food Buffer allows direct testing of food products and rapid screening of food and ingredient samples as low as five parts per million. 

“This new method provides our 3-D test users with added flexibility by expanding the capabilities of tests to include the direct testing of food products and is validated on a wide variety of food matrices,” says Max Wolf, product manager at Neogen. 

These enhancements in allergen testing contribute to real-time decision making and rapid turnaround of the product, according to the company. 

In addition, Neogen recently launched Reveal 3-D for Gluten. This lateral flow gluten test offers the capability of extracting and testing food product and ingredient samples, as well as environmental samples and clean-in-place (CIP) rinses.

“The procedure is easy to follow and aligns with current Reveal 3-D standards for detection limits and our industry-leading time to result. This method is universal across allergens and product types, and utilizes a representative sampling protocol – assuring confidence in your result,” adds Wolf.

The Reveal 3-D food extraction buffer’s expanded functionality allows for direct testing of food products that may contain almonds, among other common allergens.Neogen offers screening and quantitative food allergen test kits for foods identified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as being of the most concern, including tests to detect tree nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, cashews and pistachios, as well as eggs, wheat or gluten, milk, peanuts, soy and shellfish.

On alert for allergies
Diets to eliminate foods with common allergens have been trending in recent years as consumers look to optimize their health. 

While some consumers may prefer to avoid certain food to avoid general discomfort, the World Allergy Organization (WAO) recognizes that true food allergies are increasing over time. The mechanism behind the upturn, however, is not understood. 

WAO reports that the prevalence of peanut allergy among children in the UK, North America and Australia has reportedly doubled within ten years and is approximately 1.8 percent, 1.4 percent, and 3.0 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, fish allergy prevalence ranges from 0 percent to 7 percent and seems to be more frequent in Asia than in Western countries, according to WAO. 

Whereas the recommendations for young children was formerly to avoid the most common allergens, the American Academy of Pediatrics now states that there is some evidence that early introduction to foods may reduce the risk of allergies. 

Tackling allergies through early introduction
In response, several manufacturers have invested in products and technologies that can help reduce the burden of allergies. 

This summer, Nestlé Health Science entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aimmune Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that develops treatments for life-threatening food allergies. The move extends NHSc’s food allergy portfolio, creating a broader spectrum of solutions for children living with food allergies, the company says.

New launches in the infant nutrition space include products that contain common allergens, such as nuts, in small, easy-to-consume doses. These launches follow research showing that intolerances can occur less frequently if babies are exposed to allergens sooner in their development. 

This summer, Nestlé’s infant nutrition subsidiary Gerber introduced Gerber Organic BabyPops. The product is designed to be easily picked up by infants beginning to eat finger foods. All products in the line contain peanuts and are made to dissolve quickly in the mouth. 

US-based Square Baby also boasts an Early Allergen Introduction line of baby food products. This year the company added Coconut Shrimp Fried Rice and Almond Buttter & Banana to its portfolio of baby meals. 

By Missy Green