Woodhead Publishing Detecting Allergens in Food (Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition)

Allergens pose a serious risk to consumers, making effective detection methods a priority for the food industry. Bringing together key experts in the field, this important collection reviews both the range of analytical techniques available and their use to detect specific allergens such as nuts, dairy and wheat products. The first part of the book discusses methods of detection such as the use of antibodies and ELISA techniques. The second part reviews techniques for detecting particular allergens, whilst the final part of the book explores how detection methods can be most effectively applied. Key Features: reviews the range of detection techniques and their application to the main allergens in food; looks at specific allergens such as nuts, dairy and wheat products; explores the regulatory framework of the USA and the EU. Contents: Part 1 The basics of food allergy: The nature of food allergy; Classifying food allergens. Part 2 Types of detection method: The use of antibodies to detect allergens in food; Allergen-specific human IgE antibody-based analysis of food; Immunoblotting in allergen detection; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for detecting allergens in foods; Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for the detection of allergenic foods; Proteomic assessment of allergens in food; Detecting food allergens with a surface plasmon resonance immunoassay; The use of lateral flow devices to detect food allergens. Part 3 Detection methods for particular allergens: Methods for detecting peanuts in food; Detecting tree nuts and seeds in food; Detecting dairy and egg residues in food; Detecting wheat gluten in food; Detecting soy, fish and crustaceans in food. Part 4 Issues in using allergen detection methods: Allergen quality assurance for hypoallergenic formula; Common issues in detecting allergenic residues on equipment and in processed foods; Factors affecting the effectiveness of allergen detection; Reference materials and method validation in allergen detection; US regulation of undeclared allergens in food products; EU regulation of undeclared allergens in food products.