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Swabbing for
allergen detection There are various ways to collect samples for allergen detection. Swabbing is useful in these instances, but specific swabs needs to be used. Here are some tips on swabbing for allergen detection: 1. Where and what should I swab? • For the verification of the effectiveness of cleaning in removing allergenic residues, it is recommended that swab samples be taken immediately before production, after cleaning and sanitation have been completed. • Sampling sites can include equipment, food contact surfaces and production lines. • Direct surface swabbing should target areas where significant build-up of food residues are expected to occur and areas that are particularly difficult to clean, e.g. corners, seams, valves, O-ring seals, sampling ports, and porous and irregularly shaped surfaces. Sampling may necessitate some dismantling of equipment for access. • Direct surface sampling can also be used to measure the potential for aerial allergens to cross-contaminate surfaces, provided that sufficient time for settlement of particles has been given. • Hands or protective clothing of employees may be directly sampled as potential sources of allergen contamination. 2. What swabs should I use? Swabbing of food contact surfaces or equipment for allergens should be carried out using swabs which are specifically designed for allergens, which make use of buffers intended to preserve the stability of allergens in solution. The buffers used in conventional microbiology swabs are not designed to preserve allergens in solution, and therefore may give rise to false negative results. Swabs recommended by FACTS which are specifically designed
for allergen sampling: Please feel free to contact FACTS if assistance with material ordering is required. 3. How do I swab? • The instructions provided by the manufacturer of the allergen swabs should be followed explicitly when sampling. • Swabbing areas should be approximately 10cm x 10cm. 4. How do I store and transport the swabs? • Using the recommended swab kits, swabbed samples can be stored at room temperature or below for up to four days before analysis. The allergens will generally be stable in the buffer for this time period. • If the time between swabbing and testing is longer than four days, swabbed samples should be stored frozen at -20°C. • Transport the swabs according to the manufacturer’s instructions within correct temperature and time limits. • Ensure the swabs are correctly labelled and properly sealed.
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