Hidden peanut allergens detected in various foods: findings and legal measures.
BACKGROUND
Undeclared allergens in foodstuffs represent a major health problem for sensitized persons. Until recently, most food control authorities were not in the position to monitor hidden allergens and to take legal measures against their presence in foodstuffs.


METHODS
In this study, we employed human sera-based immunoassay techniques, enabling semiquantitative detection and identification of peanut allergens in a variety of foodstuffs.


RESULTS
This study showed the presence of undeclared allergens in products belonging to various food categories, such as cereals, cookies, cakes, and snacks. The detection limit for peanut contamination was in most instances less than 50 mg peanut material per kg, i.e., less than about 5 mg peanut allergens per kg. We legally objected to products with more than one part per thousand or 1000 mg/kg of peanut contamination.


CONCLUSIONS
In most cases, food producers, confronted with our results, were able to detect and eliminate the sources of the contamination. They implemented measures to prevent the presence of hidden peanut allergens in their products, increasing food safety for sensitized persons and overall food quality.
Schäppi
G F
GF
Official Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich, PO Box, 8030 Zurich, Switzerland.
Konrad
V
V
Imhof
D
D
Etter
R
R
Wüthrich
B
B
D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D010367:Arachis / Q000276:immunology*; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000276:immunology; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D007118:Immunoassay; D021183:Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000485:Allergens; D007106:Immune Sera; D010940:Plant Proteins