Allergen Testing in Packaged Foods

Food allergens are among the most critical safety concerns for consumers, especially individuals with severe sensitivities or life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Packaged foods may contain intentional allergens as ingredients or may become contaminated unintentionally through shared equipment, cross-contact during processing, or mishandling of raw materials.

allergen testing in packaged foods

Regulatory bodies worldwide require accurate allergen declaration, strict cross-contamination control, and validated laboratory testing to ensure consumer safety.

Eurofins Food Testing Laboratories provide comprehensive allergen testing services for packaged foods, supporting manufacturers, retailers, and exporters in meeting global labeling and safety requirements.

Why Allergen Testing Is Essential

Reason	Importance
Consumer Protection	Prevents allergic reactions by accurately identifying allergen presence
Regulatory Compliance	Meets labeling laws and threshold limits set by FSSAI, FDA, EU, and Codex
Cross-Contact Control	Detects unintentional contamination during processing and packaging
Brand Reputation	Avoids recalls, legal issues, and loss of consumer trust
Export Readiness	Ensures conformity with international allergen-labeling regulations

Why Allergens Enter Packaged Foods

why-allergens-enter-packaged-foods

Source	Description
Shared Production Lines	Same equipment used for allergen and non-allergen products
Improper Cleaning	Inadequate removal of allergen residues from machinery
Supplier Raw Materials	Allergen contamination in ingredients before they reach the factory
Airborne Particles	Powders like gluten or nut dust spreading during processing
Incorrect Labeling	Missing or incomplete allergen declarations
Packaging Errors	Mislabeling or mixing of batches during packing

Major Allergens in Packaged Foods

Eurofins tests for a wide spectrum of allergenic proteins, including:
• Gluten (wheat, barley, rye)
• Soy proteins
• Tree nuts (almond, cashew, walnut, pistachio, hazelnut)
• Peanuts
• Milk proteins (casein, whey)
• Egg proteins
• Sesame
• Mustard
• Lupin
• Sulphites
• Fish & shellfish (for relevant packaged products)

Parameters to Test in Allergen Screening

Allergen-Specific Proteins

Detection of key proteins that trigger immune responses.

Allergen Traces from Cross-Contamination

Verification of very low-level residues in multi-ingredient or shared-line products.

Gluten Quantification

Ensures compliance for “Gluten-Free” (≤ 20 ppm) and low-gluten label claims.

Processed Food Allergen Stability

Analyzes allergens that may survive baking, extrusion, frying, or roasting.

Allergen Panel Testing

Comprehensive multi-allergen screens for complex packaged foods.

Verification of Cleaning Effectiveness

Confirms that equipment sanitation removes allergenic residues.

Regulations and Standards

Food Allergens – FSSAI Guidelines (India)

As per Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 and Direction dated 22nd October 2021 (effective from 1st July 2022), the following allergens must be clearly declared on pre-packaged food labels.

Allergen	Declaration Requirement	Specific Exemptions / Notes
Cereals containing gluten	Name of the cereal must be declared (e.g., wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt or their hybridised strains)	• Wheat-based glucose syrups including dextrose • Wheat-based maltodextrins • Barley glucose syrups • Cereals used for alcoholic distillates (gluten ≤ 20 mg/kg)
Crustaceans and products thereof	Declare as “Crustacean”	None
Eggs and egg products	Declare as “Egg”	None
Fish and fish products	Declare as “Fish”	None
Peanuts and products thereof	Declare as “Peanut” or “Nut”	None
Tree nuts and products thereof	Declare as “Nut” (specific name recommended)	None
Soybeans and products thereof	Declare as “Soy”	None
Milk and milk products	Declare as “Milk”	None
Sulphites	Declare as “Sulphite” when ≥ 10 mg/kg	None
Cross-contamination (voluntary)	“May contain [name of allergen]”	Only when unavoidable
Highly refined oils & distilled alcoholic beverages derived from allergens	No declaration required	Applies to fully refined oils and distillates
Raw agricultural commodities	Completely exempt	—

Food Allergens – European Union (EU) Law

Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (Food Information to Consumers Regulation) – Annex II lists 14 substances or products causing allergies or intolerances that must always be declared and emphasised in the ingredients list (effective since 13 December 2014).

Allergen	Declaration Requirement	Specific Exemptions / Notes
Cereals containing gluten	Specific name of cereal (wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut, etc.)	• Wheat/barley glucose syrups & dextrose • Wheat maltodextrins • Distillates for spirits
Crustaceans and products thereof	“Crustaceans”	None
Eggs and products thereof	“Eggs”	None
Fish and products thereof	“Fish”	• Fish gelatine/isinglass as fining agent or carrier
Peanuts and products thereof	“Peanuts”	None
Soybeans and products thereof	“Soybeans” or “Soya”	• Fully refined soybean oil & fat • Tocopherols, phytosterols from soy sources
Milk and products thereof (incl. lactose)	“Milk”	• Whey/lactitol in distillates • Certain milk derivatives
Nuts (tree nuts)	“Nuts” + specific name (almond, hazelnut, walnut, cashew, pecan, Brazil nut, pistachio, macadamia/Queensland nut)	• Nuts used in distillates & certain flavourings
Celery and products thereof	“Celery”	None
Mustard and products thereof	“Mustard”	None
Sesame seeds and products thereof	“Sesame seeds” or “Sesame”	None
Lupin and products thereof	“Lupin”	None
Molluscs and products thereof	“Molluscs”	None
Sulphur dioxide and sulphites	“Sulphur dioxide and sulphites” when ≥ 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/L (expressed as SO₂)	Threshold applies

https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Labelling_Display_30_06_2022.pdf

https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/19862

Eurofins Analytical Capabilities

Eurofins uses internationally validated methods to test allergens in diverse packaged food matrices.

Technologies

ELISA-based allergen specific detection
• PCR for DNA-based allergen identification
• LC-MS/MS for confirmation of trace allergen markers
• Rapid test kits for on-site allergen verification

Sample Types

Biscuits, snacks, chocolates
• Sauces, dressings, beverages
• Ready-to-eat meals and bakery items
• Protein bars, cereals, infant food
• Seasoning blends and instant mixes

Eurofins Allergen Testing Workflow

Step	Objective	Eurofins Service
1. Sample Intake	Ensure traceability and integrity	SmartLIMS tracking
2. Screening	Detect allergen presence	ELISA/PCR multi-allergen panels
3. Confirmation	Verify cross-contact and contamination	LC-MS/MS verification
4. Interpretation	Understand levels and possible sources	Expert scientific review
5. Reporting	Provide label-ready documentation	Digital CoA and compliance note

Health Implications of Undeclared Allergens

Unintentional allergen exposure can cause:
• Mild to severe skin reactions
• Gastrointestinal discomfort
• Respiratory distress
• Anaphylaxis (life-threatening)

Accurate testing and correct labeling are essential for protecting vulnerable consumers.

Case Example

A snack manufacturer experienced repeated consumer complaints related to unlabelled nut traces. Eurofins performed targeted allergen analysis, identified contamination from shared roasting equipment, and recommended corrective cleaning and separation procedures. Updated processes and testing restored product safety and brand confidence.

Why Choose Eurofins

Global network of accredited allergen testing laboratories
• Advanced multi-allergen detection methods
• Fast turnaround for packaged product clearances
• Strong experience with export documentation.
• Support for allergen management plans and risk assessments

Ensure your packaged foods are safe, accurately labeled, and globally compliant.

Partner with Eurofins Food Testing Laboratories for reliable allergen detection and full regulatory confidence.

Enquire now: www.eurofins.in/food-testing/enquire-now/