Allergen Detection in Food

FAQs

• 1. What allergen detection solutions does Invitek offer?

  Invitek provides three complementary product lines for food allergen detection, catering to different testing environments and throughput needs:

  • InviScreen® Allergen Detection Kits – real-time PCR-based DNA detection for laboratory settings
  • InviRapid® Lateral Flow Assays – rapid, on-site immunochromatographic test strips
  • InviLisa® ELISA Kits – sandwich immunoassay format for quantitative allergen measurement

• 2. What are the InviScreen® Allergen Detection Kits and how do they work?

  The InviScreen® Allergen Detection Kits are premium real-time PCR (qPCR) tools for detecting specific allergen species in food and feed samples. They simultaneously amplify the target allergen DNA and an Internal Amplification Control (IAC), which eliminates false-negative results caused by PCR inhibition. Under optimal conditions, the kits can detect as little as 10 ppm of the specific allergen, making them highly sensitive and reliable for regulatory compliance testing.

• 3. Which specific allergens can Invitek's InviScreen® kits detect?

  Invitek's InviScreen® PCR kits cover a broad range of regulated food allergens, including:

  • Almond, Brazil Nut, Cashew, Celery, Coconut, Lupin, Macadamia Nut, Mustard, Pecan Nut, Pistachio, Walnut, Hazelnut, Peanut, Sesame
  • Fish, Crustacean/Shellfish, Molluscs
  • Soya

  Each kit is allergen-specific and packaged as 100 tests per kit.

• 4. What regulation do Invitek's allergen detection kits help comply with?

  Invitek's allergen detection kits are designed to support compliance with EU Regulation No. 1169/2011, which requires food manufacturers to declare all ingredients with allergenic potential on product labels. The kits provide an accurate molecular basis for verifying the presence or absence of regulated allergens in food and feed products.

• 5. What are InviRapid® Lateral Flow Assays and when should they be used?

  InviRapid® Lateral Flow Assays are rapid immunochromatographic test strips that detect food allergens within minutes, directly at the point of need — no laboratory required. They use allergen-specific antibodies labelled with colloidal gold, producing clear visual band results. They are ideal for:

  • On-site factory floor testing
  • Incoming goods inspection
  • In-process quality checks
  • Allergen cleaning validation as part of HACCP programmes

  Available allergens include: Casein, Shellfish, Gluten, Egg, Fish, Soya, Almond, Peanut, and Sesame. Each kit contains all necessary reagents including test strips, sampling tubes, extraction buffer, and accessories. Detection limits are as low as 1 ppm.

• 6. What is the InviLisa® ELISA Kit and how is it different from PCR-based detection?

  InviLisa® ELISA Kits use a 60-minute sandwich immunoassay format to detect and quantify food allergens. Unlike PCR, which targets DNA, ELISA detects allergenic proteins directly. In the sandwich configuration, the allergenic protein is trapped between two layers of specific antibodies, enabling highly sensitive and accurate quantification. InviLisa® kits are suitable for:

  • Food products
  • Rinse water samples
  • Environmental surface swab samples

  This makes them complementary to PCR methods, especially useful when protein-level confirmation is required for regulatory or quality assurance purposes.

  Available allergens include: Almond, Milk, Casein, Egg, Gluten, β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG), Mustard, Peanut, Sesame, and Soya. Each kit contains all necessary reagents including an antibody-coated microwell plate, extraction buffer, wash buffer, allergen standards, and accessories. Detection limits are as low as 0.05 ppm.

• 7. Can Invitek's allergen tests be used on surface swabs and environmental samples?

  Yes. Both the InviRapid® Lateral Flow Assays and InviLisa® ELISA Kits are validated for use on environmental surface swabs, in addition to food and rinse water samples. This makes them particularly valuable for allergen cleaning verification in food manufacturing facilities, where residual allergen contamination on surfaces poses a cross-contact risk.

• 8. Which DNA extraction kits are recommended prior to using InviScreen® allergen PCR kits?

  Invitek recommends using the manual InviSorb® Spin Food Kit or the semi-automated InviMag® Food Kit as the primary extraction solutions prior to allergen PCR testing. The kits offer fast, reliable DNA isolation from a wide variety of food matrices — including processed foods and ready-to-eat products. The extracted DNA integrates seamlessly into InviScreen® PCR workflows, ensuring optimal sensitivity and consistency.

• 9. How sensitive are Invitek's allergen detection methods?

  Sensitivity varies by detection method:

  • InviScreen® PCR kits: detect a minimum of 10 ppm (10 mg allergenic substance per kg of food sample) under optimal conditions
  • InviRapid® Lateral Flow Assays: detect as low as 1 ppm (1 mg allergenic substance per kg of food sample)
  • InviLisa® ELISA Kits: detect a minimum of 0.05 ppm (0.05 mg allergenic substance per kg of food sample)

• 10. How do Invitek's allergen detection products fit into a HACCP programme?

  Invitek's allergen testing portfolio is well-suited for integration into Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) allergen management plans:

  • InviRapid® strips provide fast, on-site verification at critical control points (e.g., post-cleaning, incoming raw materials)
  • InviScreen® PCR kits offer high-sensitivity laboratory confirmation of allergen presence/absence for product release decisions
  • InviLisa® ELISA kits provide quantitative data to validate cleaning procedures and assess cross-contamination risk

  Together, the three-tier system supports a robust detect → verify → quantify allergen management strategy across the entire food production chain.