With new test kits for Mustard and Cashews the AgraQuant® F.A.S.T. product line is now available for the detection of the following eight allergens in food, rinse waters and environmental swabs: almond, casein, egg, hazelnut, macadamia nut, peanut, cashew and mustard. The AgraQuant® F.A.S.T. is the fastest allergen ELISA testing method currently on the market. The newly developed, state-of-the-art capsule technology cuts down extraction to a minimum of only 1 minute, resulting to a total time of results of 31 minutes. Furthermore, the same extract can be used for testing different allergens with the AgraQuant® F.A.S.T. line.

Additionally the large portfolio of AgraStrip®, Romer Labs Lateral Flow (LFD) Testing line, is further expanded with the launch of the AgraStrip® Crustacea for the detection of crustacea in food, rinse waters and swab samples (environmental samples). The AgraStrip® Crustacea has been validated in a variety of soup products as well as in other products and on environmental surfaces. Accurate and fast results the AgraStrip® test line saves customer time and money, easy handling and on-site testing increases the productivity in the lab and correct labelling of products can be secured.

Crustaceas represent an important group of food allergens. Tropomyosin, which can be found in all common crustacean species, is the most important protein. In cooked crustacean extracts this protein represents approximately 20% of the total protein. For crustacean allergic people hidden crustacean proteins in food are a critical problem. Very low amounts of the crustacean allergen can cause allergic reactions, which may lead to anaphylactic shock in severe cases. Therefore sufferers must strictly avoid the consumption of crustacean containing food. Cross-contamination, often as a consequence of the production process, can occur. This explains why in many cases the existence of crustacean residues in food cannot be excluded and sensitive detection systems for crustacean residues in foodstuffs are required.

Furthermore, Romer Labs extends the Biopure product line with the launch of three new allergen positive control materials. The positive materials for Peanut, Egg and Casein have a known content of contamination and were extensively tested in previously Romer Labs Check sample surveys (CSS). Finally the EnzymeFast® line has been extended with another enzymatic kit for the determination of lactose – EnzymeFast® Lactose/D-Glucose. While the galactose based kit is suitable for routine lactose testing in all kinds of food, the new glucose based kit is specially designed for the determination of lactose in dairy products that were enzymatically treated to decrease the lactose content and thus labelled “lactose-free”. To show this outstanding capacity the new Lactose/D-Glucose kit has been validated in a variety of lactose-free products.

With its LFD and ELISA testing solutions Romer Labs has the largest allergen product portfolio currently available on the market and offers tailored one-stop solutions for all diagnostic needs and outstanding support for customers on an international level. With fully accredited ISO 17025 service laboratories in Austria, United Kingdom and United States, Romer Labs is also offering analytical services for a wide range of allergens.