'Breakthrough' development in DNA testing methods to detect and differentiate trace amounts of peanuts, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, almonds, and macademias in foods
Reading Scientific Services says it is set to revolutionise testing for potential nut allergens.
The company has developed DNA based testing methods that can detect and differentiate trace amounts of peanuts, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, almonds and macademia nuts in all kinds of foods.
RSSL first announced it had successfully developed DNA techniques for detecting peanuts back in February 2002, pre-dating developments recently announced by the FSA by one year.
Now RSSL has added more nuts to its portfolio and is developing DNA technology to identify other potential allergens.
"As far as we know, no other lab can use DNA to identify the range of nuts that we can," says Andrew Tingey, head of molecular biology at RSSL.
"DNA methods complement our existing Elisa technology and broadens the range of nuts we can detect." Such tests are essential for confirming that cross contamination is not compromising the safety of food products.
