Immunochemical and DNA-based methods in food allergen analysis and quality assurance perspectives

The hazard of hidden allergens in the food chain has generated the need for sensitive and reliable methods tracing food allergens in different commodities. The most recent methods employing immunochemical and DNA recognition for food allergen detection are reviewed and compared to mass spectrometric methodologies. Major issues such as the influence of food matrix and food processing on the extraction/detection of food allergens are also tackled. In order to produce trustful results there is urgent need for reliable methods underpinning quality assurance scheme. Elements including the use of reference materials, method validation and proficiency testing scheme in food allergen analysis are discussed.