Integrated gluten management
Challenges of gluten-free food manufacturing
Safeguarding Your Gluten-Free Promise: Navigating Production Challenges
Producing gluten-free foods involves several critical steps to ensure a safe product for consumers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Compliance with gluten-free labeling legislations or certifications is essential. From raw materials and ingredients to transport, production, storage and the final product, the challenge is to produce a healthy, nutritional product that meets consumers’ expectations and prevents gluten contamination at every step of the production chain.
Understanding Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where individuals develop an intolerance to gluten, present in wheat, rye and barley. The global prevalence of celiac disease is approximately 0.7% – 1.4% (Clin. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Jun;16(6):823-836). For consumers with celiac disease, avoiding gluten is the only option.
The number of consumers following a gluten-free diet is significantly higher (e.g., 25% in the USA) and growing. The gluten-free products market is booming with a CAGR of 8% – 9% (2024 – 2032). Regardless of the target customer group, gluten-free labeling legislation in many countries applies. Both in Europe (Regulation (EU) 828/2014) and the U.S. (U.S. FDA Final Rule) products may be labeled as “gluten-free” if they do not exceed 20 mg/kg of gluten.
Challenges in Producing Gluten-Free Foods
Ensuring gluten-free products are indeed free from gluten can be challenging. These challenges need to be addressed in the production process to ensure the quality of gluten-free foods:
- Sourcing gluten-free ingredients
- Contamination of raw materials
- Insufficient information from suppliers (analytical data)
- Cross-contamination during production
- Insufficient cleaning of (shared) production lines (validation)
- Errors due to mislabeling
- Changes in ingredients or recipes
- Wrong packaging
- Monitoring of the gluten content
Integrated Solution for Gluten Testing
We introduce an integrated solution for gluten testing along the entire food production chain. Our gluten tests monitor gluten concentration at every step in the gluten-free food production chain and all testing environments.
Gluten Testing Along the Food Production Chain
Sourcing Raw Materials:
Gluten-free crops may get contaminated with gluten-containing cereals pre-harvest or post-harvest during transport or storage. An easy-to-use, rapid test, preferably quantitative like the RIDA®QUICK Gluten quant is the best method for a rapid, on-site answer. Alternatively, raw materials can be tested by the in-house laboratory with the RIDASCREEN®EASY Gluten, our new fast ELISA for gluten detection. If the source of contamination is unclear, our range of PCR assays can help trace it.
Transport, Storage and Processing:
During transport, storage, or processing, cross-contamination may occur if vehicles, bins, containers, or production lines are used for both gluten-free and gluten-containing products. An effective cleaning protocol must be in place, validated and monitored. The most appropriate tool for this is a rapid on-site (quantitative) test like the RIDA®QUICK Gluten quant to monitor surfaces for traces of gluten. With the RIDA® SMART APP Allergen, data can be uploaded into a cloud-based data management system, the RIDA® Universe, for data analysis, trend analysis and rapid decision-making.
Product Control and Quality Assurance:
As mentioned in legislation, a product labeled as gluten-free may not contain more than 20 mg/kg of gluten. Therefore, the final product can be tested by the producer or by third-party laboratories for quality control purposes but also for legal compliance or compliance with certifications by official laboratories. The RIDASCREEN® Gliadin in combination with the Cocktail (patented) is Codex Alimentarius type I method (CODEX STAN 234-1999) and AOAC Official Method of Analysis (OMA 2012.01) and therefore often used as the official, reference method. All our gluten testing methods are based on the same R5 antibody so that you can be sure the results will be comparable.
Three Analytical Platforms for Gluten Testing
- Quantitative and Qualitative Lateral Flow Tests (LFDs): These rapid and user-friendly tests offer a quantitative assessment of gluten presence, providing reliable results in minutes. LFDs are ideal for on-site testing throughout various stages of food production. With the RIDA® SMART BOX or a selected smartphone, results can be interpreted quantitatively using the RIDA® SMART APP Allergen. A qualitative lateral flow test is available as well. You can evaluate the results visually or read and document the results with the RIDA SMART APP Allergen.
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): Renowned for its high sensitivity and specificity, ELISA remains a gold standard in gluten detection. This method allows for the precise quantification of gluten proteins in complex food matrices, ensuring rigorous compliance with regulatory standards.
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): PCR-based techniques identify gluten-containing cereals at the genetic level, offering exceptional specificity and the ability to distinguish between different gluten sources (wheat, barley and rye). This method is particularly useful in validating gluten-free claims and ensuring product integrity.
RIDA® Universe: Cloud-Based Data Management
A unique feature is the integration of RIDA® Universe, a cloud-based digital data management system in gluten testing with the RIDA® SMART APP Allergen. This system facilitates real-time data collection, analysis and sharing, enhancing traceability and compliance across the entire food production chain.
Supporting Gluten-Free Production
We support gluten-free production with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement effective gluten management strategies. Our digital solutions streamline gluten testing processes, improve data accuracy and support proactive food safety management.
Related products
RIDA® SMART APP Allergen
Allergen analysis & documentation – easier than ever before!
The app assists you in the quantitative analysis and in the fast, efficient documentation of allergen rapid test strips.
RIDA® SMART BOX
The perfect system solution for your laboratory!
Due to its robust design, the box is well protected against dust and always provides the optimal measuring environment.
RIDA®QUICK Gluten quant.
Quantitative Lateral Flow for Gluten detection!
Rapid and reliable quantitative detection of gluten residues on surfaces, in CIP water and food samples in test strip format.
RIDASCREEN®EASY Gluten
Improved fast ELISA for gluten detection!
Safe, fast and easy quantitative analysis of gluten residues from wheat, rye and barley in foods within 30 minutes.
RIDASCREEN® Gliadin
ELISA for gluten detection!
Quantitative analysis of gluten residues in foods.
R-Biopharm – your partner in food analysis.
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Get in touch with our gluten testing experts to implement integrated gluten management with our digital and analytical solutions.
