Egg allergen testing
Why do I need to do egg allergen testing?
Food allergies pose a widespread public health challenge, impacting millions of consumers globally. In recent years the management of allergens has gained significant attention, due to increasingly stringent allergen labelling regulations, GFSI food safety standard requirements, and the growing prevalence of undeclared allergens at the root of product recalls.
What is an egg food allergy?
Egg allergy is an immune system response to proteins found in egg white and/or egg yolk. An egg allergy occurs when the body’s immune system becomes sensitised and reacts excessively to these proteins. Egg allergies are especially prevalent among young children.
Those with an egg allergy may experience reactions varying from mild rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
What do the regulations require?
Due to the prevalence, potency and severity of egg allergies, egg is a regulated allergen in most regions, and one of South Africa’s eight regulated common allergens; this means it must be declared on foodstuff packaging, and cross-contact in a food-producing facility must be controlled.
View our allergen labelling infographic for more information.
If you want to make an egg-free claim, testing is required to substantiate the claim. But ingredients and foods can be described using technical terminology or names that may not immediately indicate that the ingredient is an allergen. When using the following ingredients, be sure to ask whether they may be derived from egg, or potentially contain egg:
- Lysozyme
- Albumin/Albumen
- Lecithin binders
- Clarifying agents
- Emulsifiers
Does FACTS offer egg allergen testing?
FACTS offers SANAS-accredited egg allergen testing (including egg yolk and white). View and download our testing catalogue, or contact us for more information about the methods used.
All methods can be performed on surface swabs and air plates. It is important to note that all swab results are qualitative, and that the lab is accredited for select swab analyses. For more information on the FACTS laboratory accreditation status, view our SANAS accreditation certificate or contact us for more information.
Other articles and resources you may be interested in:
Allergen labelling: Significant impact on product sales and market
South Africa’s regulated common allergens
To claim or not to claim – The ‘Allergen-free’ controversy
Do you have to test for all food label claims?
Testing Catalogue
Infographic: Allergen Labelling