Neogen has developed a rapid test that can simultaneously detect the presence of six tree nuts in a single test in just 10 minutes after extraction.

Neogen’s new Reveal® for Multi-Treenut detects 5-10 parts per million (ppm) of almond, hazelnut, pecan, walnut, cashew and pistachio residues on environmental surfaces and in rinse waters. The new test is simple to use and provides quick, accurate results, aiding food manufacturers in cleaning validations or verification of existing procedures to prevent cross-contamination of tree nuts within their manufacturing facilities.

“Our new Reveal test for multiple tree nuts is a result of requests from our customers to develop a single test to detect several tree nuts at once,” said Steve Chambers, Neogen Europe’s sales and marketing director. “Our customers have told us that it’s common in production environments for a commingling of different tree nuts to occur, and they would prefer not to test for each separately. The new single test represents an opportunity for many to simplify their testing, while receiving faster test results.

” Reveal for Multi-Treenut is in an extremely easy lateral flow format — just dip the test’s device in an extracted sample, and wait 10 minutes. If two lines develop, the test is positive for one or more of the six tree nuts. If only one line develops, the test is negative.

In addition to this new test for multiple tree nuts, Neogen’s industry-leading line of food allergen test kits includes rapid quantitative and screening tests for milk, gluten, egg, soy, sesame, crustacea, mustard, peanut, almond, walnut, and hazelnut. Neogen is the recognised leader in development and marketing of diagnostic tests to detect contamination with allergens.

Neogen’s food allergen testing products have been developed in close cooperation with the University of Nebraska’s Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, or FARRP (www.farrp.org). FARRP is a food industry and university partnership that was formed to provide research and resource tools to the food industry. It is a leading authority in training and educating the industry on allergen awareness.