Milk allergen first target of validated reference material portfolio

MoniQA Association has started to sell validated reference materials for the analysis of milk allergen.

The first set includes four testing materials: a Positive Control (SMP-MQA 092014, characterized dried skim milk powder), Negative Control (BLANK-MQA 082015, based on a gluten free cookie) and 2 Incurred Materials: LOW-MQA 092016 (SMP incurred in gluten free cookies, milled, concentration approx. 5 ppm) and HIGH-MQA 082016 (SMP incurred in gluten free cookies, milled, concentration approx. 50 ppm).

The materials were produced by Trilogy Laboratories USA and shipments are coordinated by R-Biopharm Germany.

They come in 5g pouches (air tight sealed) and sold for €220 per pouch or €792 for all four materials.

Work started in 2013 led by MoniQA Association looking at requirements for food allergen reference materials.

MoniQA liaised with the EU funded project iFAAM, the Prolamin Working Group, Health Canada, FARRP, Australia’s Allergen Bureau (Vital) and others.

Certified reference materials allow the user to assess whether test results are reliable and rule out false positive or false negative results.

Allergenic proteins may alter and change structure or concentrations which causes instability and unconformity, said R-Biopharm.

The most common technique for detection of allergens is an ELISA test.

Further reference materials are in preparation (gluten, egg, soy), said MoniQA Association.