Allergen Swab Tests: Detect Hidden Food Allergens

According to Food Tech Solutions, 6 to 8 percent of all children and 2 percent of adults are affected by food allergies. Trace amounts of foods to which they are allergic can appear on surfaces leaving no visible trace. Allergen swab tests can help to pinpoint the presence of allergens.

Allergen Swab Tests

• Allergen swab tests can detect minute elements of food allergens. According to Charm Sciences, some are able to detect quantities as small as 0.1 part per million, using chemicals such as adenosine triphosphate. Allergen swab tests can detect milk, soy, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, and some can even detect coconut, mustard, coffee and red wine. Most are used to check for allergens on surfaces, but some can also detect allergens in rinse water, raw material and also in end products.

How to Use an Allergen Swab Test

• All allergen swab tests have clearly marked instructions. Swab the surface to be tested, place the swab in a chemical designed to pick up the presence of allergens, expose the swab to heat, and wait for the results. If the swab indicates the presence of allergens, clean the surface and test again.

Brands of Allergen Swab Tests

• Allergen swab tests include AllerGiene, Clean-Trace, Bio-Kits Rapid 3D tests, Bioavid, and many others.