AgraStrip Peanut contamination test kit

Arrow Scientific has launched a test kit for peanut contamination, expanding its product portfolio for food allergens.

The AgraStrip Peanut is a lateral-flow device for on-site factory testing to detect this potentially life-threatening allergen in food, rinse waters and environmental swabs.

The easy-to-use AgraStrip Peanut kit is sensitive, having a limit of detection of 1 ppm. According to the company, this is comparable to detecting seven drops of food colouring in a full bathtub of water.

These tests are sensitive and specific, but the simplified protocol means processors can do the tests on-site at production lines, etc. Users can quickly and simply verify cleaning of equipment and surfaces to prevent peanut cross-contamination.

Often ingredients received may contain peanut protein; for example, banana chips may be cooked in peanut oil, and some emulsifiers, glycerine and hydrolysed vegetable protein can be derived from peanut. Using this simple test kit means goods received can be quickly checked for peanut proteins.

With these test strips, users can detect any residual peanut in ingredients at different production steps or in the final products, allowing an efficient monitoring of critical control points in a HACCP scheme or any other quality management system.