Do You Do Enough Allergen Testing?
Everyone needs food to survive, and everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to food. However, for some people, certain types of food can actually be dangerous. If you are one of the thousands of allergy sufferers throughout Australia, then you must be aware of exactly what is contained in your food and you must be able to rely on manufacturers to accurately report the contents of their products and anything with which their ingredients may have come in contact. If you should happen to have an allergic reaction to anything that you eat, the effects could range from being only a mild skin irritation to being more severe or even life-threatening. The danger is particularly acute if the respiratory system happens to be affected by the allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock results. While allergic reactions are not fully understood, they occur when an allergen is identified by an individual's immune system and the immune system commences a reaction against the allergen.
The value in tracing food origins
With the potentially fatal consequences of allergic reactions, it is essential that at every part of the food production process suppliers are able to assert where their food is from and what pesticides or chemical products it may have come into contact with. That is the best way for their customers to know that what they supply is free of allergens. The only way that such a claim from the suppliers can be validated is through allergen testing.
Why use allergen testing?
Allergies can result from even trace amounts of an allergen remaining in eggs, milk or other everyday products. It's possible that the allergen does not even originate in the product but comes from contact through a contaminated production line or even being placed in close proximity to a contaminated product. Using allergen kits allows you to know if there are any problems with your production line that need to be addressed.
Allergen tests must be conducted not simply on the product but also on every piece of machinery used in the manufacturing process. Using allergen testing kits to check for contamination lets you quickly identify potential contamination and prevent further damage from occurring. It is always best if allergen contamination can be identified early before any contaminated goods leave your premises. Early detection not only tells you which areas you must decontaminate but also helps you avoid the negative publicity that would accompany a product recall or, potentially, people becoming unwell and the resulting legal action.
