Tree nuts

Reliable tests for the detection of nuts in food

 

Tree Nuts: Comprehensive allergy testing solutions

Prevalence and importance of tree nut allergies

Tree nut allergies are among the most common food allergies, affecting approximately one percent of the population. These allergies can cause severe reactions, making accurate detection and labeling crucial for consumer safety.

Definition and allergenicity of tree nuts

The term “tree nuts” refers to nuts that grow on trees, distinguishing them from peanuts, which grow underground and are technically legumes. Not all tree nuts have the same level of allergenicity. For example, hazelnut allergies are particularly widespread, while almonds or coconuts are often better tolerated. Allergy tests can help determine which tree nuts are safe for consumption for individuals with nut allergies.

Regulatory requirements for tree nut labeling

Tree nuts must be declared as ingredients on food packaging according to EU Directive 2007/68/EC, as they are among the most significant allergens. However, cross-contamination can occur in both nut-processing and nut-free facilities, particularly during the production of confectionery, baked goods, chocolate, cookies, cereals, or ice cream. To mitigate this risk, some manufacturers include disclaimers such as “May contain traces of nuts” on their products.

Ensuring nut-free products

For individuals with nut allergies, it is vital to trust that a product labeled as “nut-free” truly contains no nut allergens. Therefore, thorough examination of production areas and end products is essential. R-Biopharm AG offers a comprehensive range of test kits to detect various types of nuts, ensuring the highest standards of food safety.

R-Biopharm AG test tits for tree nuts

Our portfolio includes test kits for detecting the following types of nuts:

  • Almond
  • Brazil nut
  • Cashew
  • Coconut
  • Hazelnut
  • Macadamia
  • Pecan
  • Pistachio
  • Pine nut
  • Shea nut
  • Walnut

Screening strategy for tree nuts using multiplex PCR

We provide a robust screening strategy starting with a broad screening for the eight relevant tree nuts and peanuts, in compliance with directive (EC) 1169/2011. Positive results can be further identified with one of our three multiplex nut kits if needed. Quantification is also possible using SureFood ALLERGEN identification and quantification kits.

Key benefits of monitoring tree nut allergens

  • Consumer safety: Protects individuals with tree nut allergies from potentially severe allergic reactions by ensuring accurate detection and labeling of tree nut allergens in food products.
  • Regulatory compliance: Helps manufacturers comply with food allergen labeling regulations, such as EU Directive 2007/68/EC and other international standards, ensuring that all tree nut-containing products are properly labeled.
  • Quality assurance: Maintains the integrity and safety of food products by accurately identifying and quantifying tree nut allergens, preventing accidental exposure.
  • Cross-contamination prevention: Ensures that food production environments are free from tree nut allergens, preventing cross-contamination and ensuring the safety of allergen-free products.
  • Advanced detection methods: Utilizes highly specific and sensitive detection techniques, such as ELISA and real-time PCR, to accurately detect and quantify traces of various tree nuts, even in processed foods.

Conclusion

Monitoring for tree nut allergens is essential for protecting consumer health, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining product quality. By employing advanced detection methods such as ELISA and real-time PCR, manufacturers can accurately identify and quantify tree nut contamination, preventing allergic reactions and ensuring the safety of their products. This proactive approach supports robust allergen management, upholds food safety standards, and fosters consumer trust in tree nut-free products.

Product portfolio

ProductDescriptionNo. of tests/amountArt. No.
RIDASCREEN®FAST Cashew

The RIDASCREEN®FAST Cashew is a sandwich enzyme immunoassay developed for the quantitative analysis of Cashew in food. Exemplarily for the food groups pastries and sweets have been tested during the assay’s development: cookies, chocolate and ice …

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Microtiter plate with 48 wells (6 strips with 8 removable wells each) R6872
RIDASCREEN®FAST Hazelnut

RIDASCREEN®FAST Hazelnut is a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of hazelnut (e.g. traces of hazelnut) in food such as cereals, bakery products, ice cream and chocolate.

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Microtiter plate with 48 wells (6 strips with 8 removable wells each) R6802
RIDASCREEN®FAST Almond

RIDASCREEN®FAST Almond is a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative analysis of almond or parts of almond in food. As representative samples for the food groups pastries and sweets the following matrices have been tested during the assay´s …

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Microtiter plate with 48 wells (6 strips with 8 removable wells each) R6901
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ProductDescriptionNo. of tests/amountArt. No.
bioavid Lateral Flow Macadamia incl. Hook Line

The Lateral Flow Macadamia (Art. No. BLH705-15), with included hook line from bioavid, is an immunochromatographic test for the sensitive and qualitative detection of macadamia residues on surfaces (e.g. swab test for the hygiene control in food …

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15 test strips (15 determinations) BLH705-15
bioavid Lateral Flow Pistachio incl. Hook Line

The Lateral Flow Pistachio (Art. No. BLH711-15) with included hook line from bioavid is an immunochromatographic test for the sensitive and qualitative detection of pistachio residues on surfaces (e.g. swab test for the hygiene control in food …

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15 test strips (15 determinations) BLH711-15
bioavid Lateral Flow Walnut incl. Hook Line

The Lateral Flow Walnut (Art. No. BLH707-15), with included hook line from bioavid, is an immunochromatographic test for the sensitive and qualitative detection of walnut residues on surfaces (e.g. swab test for the hygiene control in food production …

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15 test strips (15 determinations) BLH707-15
bioavid Lateral Flow Cashew incl. Hook line

The Lateral Flow Cashew (Art. No. BLH710-15), with included hook line from bioavid, is an immunochromatographic test for the sensitive and qualitative detection of cashew residues on surfaces (e.g. swab test for the hygiene control in food production …

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15 test strips (15 determinations) BLH710-15
bioavid Lateral Flow Hazelnut incl. Hook line

The Lateral Flow Hazelnut (Art. No. BLH704-15), with included hook line from bioavid, is an immunochromatographic test for the sensitive and qualitative detection of hazelnut residues on surfaces (e.g. swab test for the hygiene control in food …

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15 test strips (15 determinations) BLH704-15
bioavid Lateral Flow Almond incl. Hook line

The Lateral Flow Almond (Art. No. BLH701-15), with included hook line from bioavid, is an immunochromatographic test for the sensitive and qualitative detection of almond residues on surfaces (e.g. swab test for the hygiene control in food production …

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15 test strips (15 determinations) BLH701-15
bioavid Lateral Flow Coconut incl. Hook line

The Lateral Flow Coconut (Art. No. BLH700-15), with included hook line from bioavid, is an immunochromatographic test for the sensitive and qualitative detection of coconut residues on surfaces (e.g. swab test for the hygiene control in food …

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15 test strips (15 determinations) BLH700-15
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ProductDescriptionNo. of tests/amountArt. No.
SureFood® ALLERGEN Coconut

The SureFood® ALLERGEN Coconut is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of specific coconut (Cocos nucifera) DNA sequences in food.

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100 reactions S3621
SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Almond/Pistachio/Cashew+IAC

The SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Almond/Pistachio/Cashew+IAC is a multiplex real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific almond (Prunus dulcis), pistachio (Pistacia vera) and cashew (Anacardium occidentale) DNA …

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100 reactions S3406
SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex EU NUTS

The SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex EU NUTS is a multiplex real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of almond (Prunus dulcis), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), pistachio (Pistacia vera), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), hazelnut …

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100 reactions S3404
SureFood® ALLERGEN Shea Nut

The SureFood® ALLERGEN Shea Nut is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of specific shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) DNA sequences in raw material.

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100 reactions S3622
SureFood® ALLERGEN Beechnut

The SureFood® ALLERGEN Beechnut is a real-time PCR for the direct qualitative detection of specific beechnut (Fagus sylvatica) DNA sequences in food.

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100 reactions S3628
SureFood® ALLERGEN Pine Nut

The SureFood® ALLERGEN Pine Nut is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection of specific pine nut (Pinus spp.) DNA sequences in food. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC).

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100 reactions S3624
SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Macadamia / Brazil Nut / Pecan + IAC

The SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Macadamia/Brazil Nut/Pecan + IAC is a multiplex real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific macadamia (Macadamia ternifolia), brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) and pecan (Carya …

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100 reactions S3403
SureFood® ALLERGEN Walnut

The SureFood® ALLERGEN Walnut is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative and / or quantitative detection of specific walnut (Juglans regia and Juglans nigra) DNA sequences according to directive (EC) 1169/2011. For the quantitative determination …

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100 reactions S3607
SureFood® ALLERGEN Pistachio

The SureFood® ALLERGEN Pistachio is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative and / or quantitative detection of specific pistachio (Pistacia vera) DNA sequences according to directive (EC) 1169/2011. For the quantitative determination the use of …

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100 reactions S3614
SureFood® ALLERGEN Pecan

The SureFood® ALLERGEN Pecan is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative and / or quantitative detection of specific pecan (Carya illinoinensis) DNA sequences according to directive (EC) 1169/2011. For the quantitative determination the use of …

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100 reactions S3618
SureFood® ALLERGEN Macadamia

The real-time PCR test detects DNA of macadamia (Macadamia ternifolia) according to directive (EC) 1169/2011 qualitatively and / or quantitatively. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). For the quantitative determination the …

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100 reactions S3616
SureFood® ALLERGEN Hazelnut

The real-time PCR test detects DNA of hazelnut (Glycine max) according to directive (EC) 1169/2011 qualitatively and / or quantitatively. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). For the quantitative determination the use of …

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100 reactions S3602
SureFood® ALLERGEN Cashew

The real-time PCR test detects DNA of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) according to directive (EC) 1169/2011 qualitatively and / or quantitatively. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). For the quantitative determination the …

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100 reactions S3615
SureFood® ALLERGEN Brazil Nut

The SureFood® ALLERGEN Brazil Nut is a real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative and / or quantitative detection of specific brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) DNA sequences according to directive (EC) 1169/2011. For the quantitative determination …

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100 reactions S3617
SureFood® ALLERGEN Almond

The real-time PCR test detects DNA of almond (Prunus dulcis) according to directive (EC) 1169/2011 qualitatively and / or quantitatively. Each reaction contains an internal amplification control (IAC). For the quantitative determination the use of …

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100 reactions S3604
SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Peanut / Hazelnut / Walnut + IAC

The SureFood® ALLERGEN 4plex Peanut/Hazelnut/Walnut+IAC is a multiplex real-time PCR for the direct, qualitative detection and differentiation of specific Peanut (Arachis hypogaea), Hazelnut (Corylus maxima) and Walnut (Juglans regia, Juglans nigra) …

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100 reactions S3402
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