Food Allergens

Cashew Testing Solutions for Lab and On-Site Detection

Cashew nuts are seeds from a tropical evergreen tree, Anacardium occidentale, belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. Though often referred to as nuts, cashews are actually seeds that grow inside a kidney-shaped hard shell, which is attached to a cashew apple. Cashews are classified as major tree nuts and can cause severe food allergies, including potentially life-threatening reactions. With about 18% protein content, cashew seeds have a high fraction of proteins, many of which are heat-stable. These proteins can still elicit an allergic response after production processes, making it crucial to monitor cashew traces in food products and avoid cross-contamination during manufacturing.

To ensure adherence to stringent food safety standards, the food industry must utilize highly sensitive testing equipment to thoroughly examine both the production environment and food products for cashew traces.
 

Mandatory labeling of tree nuts in food products

Tree nuts, including cashews, are among the most common causes of food allergies. In Europe and the United States, the prevalence of tree nut allergies as a whole is estimated to range between 0.2% and 0.5% in both children and adults.

To safeguard consumers from the potentially fatal consequences of cashew nut consumption, allergen labeling is mandated by law in numerous countries. Cashew nuts, along with other tree nuts, are regulated in the EU (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011) and the US (U.S. FDA – FALCPA 2004).
 

Fast and highly sensitive cashew nut analysis

At Romer Labs, we provide a comprehensive range of solutions for cashew detection, comprising test kits and analytical services. Our cashew test kit portfolio features quantitative ELISA tests and qualitative lateral flow devices (LFDs) that are specifically designed to detect cashew proteins in environmental samples, rinse waters, and liquid and solid foodstuffs.

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Fast and Reliable Test Kits for Cashew Detection

Food allergens present a persistent challenge for individuals with allergies, making it crucial for food producers to accurately detect potential allergen contamination. Employing reliable test kits ensures the safety of consumers and compliance with regulatory standards.

Romer Labs provides a comprehensive portfolio of cashew test kits designed for both qualitative (AgraStrip®) and quantitative (AgraQuant®) analyses of food allergens. These versatile tests cater to various applications, covering all phases of the food production process:

  • Testing of raw materials and finished food samples
  • Analysis of rinse waters (integral to cleaning validation)
  • Detection of allergens in environmental swab samples

Our cashew test kits are designed for seamless integration into routine analyses as part of an allergen management plan, aligning with HACCP principles. The user-friendly test format ensures a streamlined workflow for both on-site and laboratory settings.

Legislative Compliance

In light of global regulations concerning food allergens (e.g., Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011; U.S. FDA – FALCPA 2004), it is imperative to properly label food products. Romer Labs' test kits support producers in fulfilling legal requirements, guaranteeing the safety and compliance of their products.

Safeguard Your Business and Brand

The quality of a test kit is intrinsically linked to food safety. At Romer Labs, we utilize an extensive range of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to ensure adherence to the highest quality standards. Our highly sensitive tests are capable of detecting allergens in concentrations as low as ppm or even ppb levels. Prompt identification of allergen contamination can mitigate the risk of expensive allergen-related recalls, which can lead to substantial financial losses and reputational damage.

LFD - AgraStrip® Pro Allergen Test Kits

AgraStrip® Pro Allergen Test Kits represent a user-friendly, rapid solution for on-site allergen detection. These state-of-the-art lateral flow devices (LFD) deliver accurate results in just 11 minutes, including extraction time, making them an ideal choice for fast-paced environments.

Our AgraStrip® LFDs employ a cutting-edge qualitative strip test method that harnesses the power of specific antibodies, labeled with colloidal gold, to generate a visually discernible color development in both test and control zones. This innovative approach enables rapid analysis of a broad spectrum of food and environmental samples, ensuring the utmost safety and quality for your consumers.

The test kits come complete with strips, antibody-coated incubation vials, extraction tubes, an extraction buffer, surface swabs and additional accessories.

ELISA - AgraQuant® Allergen Test Kits

AgraQuant® Allergen test kits deliver unparalleled accuracy and reliability in allergen detection with our state-of-the-art enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in a quantitative format. Designed for seamless integration with ELISA readers, such as the StatFax® or the BioTek® reader, our test kits ensure precise and dependable results.

Experience the convenience of parallel measurement with AgraQuant® test kits, capable of analyzing up to 38 samples in as little as 60 minutes. Save time and resources without compromising on quality.

Our AgraQuant® Allergen test kits feature sandwich ELISAs in a user-friendly, ready-to-use format, minimizing handling errors and streamlining your testing process. Each kit includes a set of 5 standards, an antibody-coated plate, a conjugate, a substrate and a stop solution.

ELISA - AgraQuant® Plus Allergen Test Kits

Experience the next level of efficiency in allergen detection with AgraQuant® Plus test kits. These advanced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are meticulously designed to optimize your workflow with rapid, reliable, and quantitative results.

AgraQuant® Plus test kits feature innovative extraction capsules that expedite the extraction of allergenic proteins from even the most complex processed matrices, reducing the process to a mere 1 minute.

Additionally, the assay incubation times are shortened to 3 x 10 minutes, allowing for a total assay time of just 30 minutes for up to 37 samples. Spend less time waiting and more time analyzing with AgraQuant® Plus.

Like the AgraQuant® allergen test kits, the AgraQuant® Plus kits utilize sandwich ELISAs in a ready-to-use format, minimizing handling errors and simplifying your testing process. Each AgraQuant® Plus kit includes a set of 5 standards, extraction capsules, an antibody coated plate, a conjugate, a substrate and a stop solution.

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Fully Accredited Food Allergen Testing Laboratories

Complementing our range of innovative diagnostic solutions, Romer Labs provides comprehensive analytical services tailored to meet customers' needs for allergen testing. By offering high levels of specialization and expertise, our analytical services are a key part of our exceptional customer service.

Romer Labs operates six fully accredited food allergen testing laboratories on three continents - Europe, America, and Asia. Together, these global facilities cover diagnostic tests for all food allergens, offering one of the most complete ranges of services for allergen testing.

Food allergen testing services are offered in Austria, the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, and China for all relevant food allergens in raw materials, finished food samples, rinse waters, and environmental swabs. The services are applicable for all steps in the food production process.

Both the ISO 9001 certification and ISO 17025 accreditation guarantee reliable and accurate results.

Whether you require accredited laboratory results, additional testing capacities for projects or peak testing times, or prefer to avoid setting up your own testing, Romer Labs is your trusted partner for all allergen testing service needs.

For detailed information on the services available at each location, please consult the Analytical Services page.