Peanut allergen testing
Why do I need to do peanut 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 a peanut allergy?
Peanut allergy is an immune system response to proteins found in peanuts. A peanut allergy occurs when the body’s immune system becomes sensitised and reacts excessively to proteins found in peanuts. Peanut allergy ranks among the leading causes of severe allergic reactions; even minuscule traces of peanuts can trigger life-threatening reactions, known as anaphylaxis. The prevalence of peanut allergy is higher in children and young adults than in infants and older adults.
Multiple forms of contact with peanuts (direct or indirect) can prompt the immune system to release chemicals into the bloodstream, causing various symptoms:
Direct contact: The primary trigger for peanut allergies often stems from ingesting peanuts or peanut-containing foods. In some cases, direct skin contact with peanuts can also lead to an allergic reaction.
Inhalation: Allergic reactions can be triggered by inhaling peanut particles in dust or aerosols. This can happen with sources such as peanut flour, and peanut oil cooking spray.
What do the regulations require?
Due to the prevalence, potency and severity of peanut allergies, peanut is recognised as a regulated allergen in numerous regions – including South Africa, where it is one of the 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 a peanut-free claim, testing is required to substantiate the claim.
Does FACTS offer peanut allergen testing?
FACTS offers SANAS-accredited peanut allergen testing. 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:
Possible peanut cross-contamination in soy lecithin
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