Textile and food allergen testing is performed to detect processed and untreated textile and food allergen proteins. In general, the main food allergens are: peanuts, nuts, soy, milk, eggs, fish and seafood, sulfite, wheat, sesame and mustard. Food allergen tests include testing raw materials and finished products to ensure that they do not contain unwanted food allergies. These tests are also intended to determine possible cross-contamination in a food production facility.
In general, 60 percent of product recall on the market is a result of food allergens. While businesses suffer in this direction, consumers are also at risk because of wrong labeling. Keeping consumers safe is the most important issue. Therefore, the quality control teams of the enterprises are primarily responsible for the introduction of a safe product. The more simple and practicable the allergen test method is, the better it is because it reduces the likelihood of errors. Food testing laboratories have to carry out an effective allergen testing process without compromising the speed at which food is placed on the market. Advanced laboratories must meet the needs of food processing plants for simple, reliable and fast results.
For laboratories, simplified workflow, reliability and speed are the three most important factors. The laboratories have allergen protein rapid test procedures designed to detect both processed and unprocessed proteins. This regular approach helps to simplify the allergen testing method. These laboratories owe their reliability to the international accreditation they receive. Finally, the rapid conclusion of the tests is important when switching between products on production lines.
Allergy tests are performed to determine whether symptoms are caused by allergen-specific antibodies. Allergy tests are important because many symptoms may be caused by other factors such as viral infections and irritants. If a patient does not have symptoms after exposure to a suspected allergen, it is unlikely that she will be allergic. Allergy testing can determine whether a patient has allergic sensitivity and clinical allergies.
The main standards applied for allergy tests in our country are as follows:
- TS EN 16274 Allergen analysis methods - Quantification of consumer products, suspicious odor allergens - Step 1: GC analysis of ready-to-inject sample
- TSE CEN / TS 16868 Ambient air - Sampling and analysis of airborne pollen grains and fungal spores for allergy networks - Volumetric Hirst method
- REACH Textile Safety Directives
Other internationally published standards and test methods are available.
As for the test methods, blood tests are not performed as often as skin tests. Because it is less sensitive and more expensive than skin tests. In general, skin tests are performed for allergy detection. These tests are very reliable for the diagnosis of allergies to airborne substances such as pollen, pets and dust mites. When performing allergy skin tests, the skin is exposed to substances that cause suspected allergies (allergens) and any signs of allergic reactions are followed. Allergy tests confirm whether a particular substance that is touched, inhaled or eaten causes symptoms, in parallel with a person's past medical knowledge.
Information from allergy tests helps to prepare a treatment plan that includes allergy prevention, medications or allergy treatment. In general, allergy skin tests are commonly performed to detect the following allergic conditions: hay fever, allergic asthma, eczema, food allergy, penicillin allergy, bee venom allergy and latex allergy.
EUROLAB also provides allergen testing services in a wide range of laboratory services. Thanks to these tests, enterprises receive more efficient, high performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.
In addition to the allergen testing services provided within the scope of laboratory services, EUROLAB also provides other testing services.