Logo of the Information System for Agriculture and Food Research

Information System for Agriculture and Food Research

Information platform of the Federal and State Governments

Collaborative project: Development and validation of a cellular test system for allergen trace amount detection and determination of allergenic potential of processed foods - subproject 1 (ZeBaP)

Project


Project code: 281A301A18
Contract period: 01.04.2020 - 31.03.2023
Budget: 279,603 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: allergens, allergy/incompatibility response, diagnostics, genetic engineering / GMO, food safety, product safety, cause and effect-relationship

It is of utmost importance for consumers as well as for food manufacturers that the allergen content of a product is correctly labeled. Allergic consumers need to be certain that a safe product is consumed and manufacturers want to avoid unnecessary labeling. Ideally only food products truely implying a certain risk for affected persons should be labeled, improving the freedom of choice via optimized consumer information and increasing the number of potential consumers/customers numbers for a certain product. Detection of allergens in compound food products is possible in a qualitative manner via rapid test systems as well as quantitatively in the laboratory using ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or mass spectrometry. Sensitivity and specificity of such tests depend on the target allergen, the food matrix as well as on processing of the food. However, results of these test systems will only answer the question whether and how much of an allergen or allergenic ingredient is present in the food analyzed. The allergenic potential of a food – a measure of the probability for an allergic reaction in susceptible consumers – cannot be determined in this manner. Thus this joint research project aims at establishing a cell-based test system that allows for determination of the allergenic potential of processed food. The test system is based on a humanized rat basophil cell line that was generated and validated for use in standardization of allergen products by the applicants. There is no need for animal experiments. Peanut and hazelnut were chosen as example allergen sources.

show more show less

Subjects

Excutive institution

Paul-Ehrlich Institute (PEI)

Advanced Search