European Survey for Hidden Allergens in Food: A Case Study with Peanut and Hazelnut

During the EU-funded project Allergentest (QLK1-CT-2001-01151) a survey for the presence of hidden proteins of hazelnut and peanut in suspected pre-packed foodstuffs within EC member states was carried out to check the usefulness of the developed rapid test-kits. There were 11 participating countries in this study: Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Greece, Norway, Czech Republic, and Austria. Each country submitted between 35-40 food samples. All foodstuffs were tested using the two test kits developed within the EC-project. The results presented were quantitative for the ELISA and qualitative for the LFD method (meaning positive or negative results - presence or absence) for peanut and hazelnut. The results were compared with the information given on the labels. Although at the time of the survey the new European Labelling directive (2003/89/EC) for allergens was not in force, the comparison showed whether the labelling was sufficient or not and where problems occured