Eurofins contributes to European Commission project on allergen detection

Eurofins Scientific (EUFI.PA), the global leader in food and feed testing, has been selected as the main industry laboratory participant in a four-year European Commission-sponsored research project to formulate a standardised protocol for allergy risk management in food manufacturing. Following the validation of its LC-MS/MS allergen detection method as technically superior to the widely-used PCR and ELISA methods in 2012, Eurofins has been chosen to contribute to the project that will set industry standards in the field of allergen detection.

The EC-funded study, Integrated Approaches to Food Allergen and Allergy Risk Management (IFAAM)¹, aims to produce a standardised set of regulations and management process for companies involved in food manufacturing, and will also develop the necessary tools to enforce these regulations².

As communicated previously³, Eurofins' experts developed the above detection method that has been cited in several peer-reviewed publications as more accurate than current widely-used methodologies. Eurofins' LC-MS/MS allergen detection method, effective especially for processed matrices, allows stakeholders across the food industry to make improved risk management decisions, based on reliable analytical data. IFAAM is set to use this methodology as a centrepiece of the study for wider application across the food industry.

Comment from Dr. Bert Popping, Eurofins Scientific Director: "The IFAAM project will contribute towards improvement in risk management of allergens based on our more reliable mass spectrometry analysis. Eurofins is pleased to contribute to this EC-funded project by sharing this methodology and further developing it for routine use across the industry."

Comment from Clare Mills, Professor at University of Manchester and project Leader of IFAAM:"The evidence base and tools that result from this will support more transparent precautionary "may contain" labelling of allergens in foods which will make life easier for allergy sufferers as they try to avoid problem foods."

¹ European Commission Integrated Approaches to Food Allergen and Allergy Risk Management http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=proj.document&PJ_RCN=13141237

²  iFAAM Press Release 22 March 2013 http://www.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/

³ Eurofins Press Release 09 January 2013 /en/media-centre/press-releases/2013-01-09.aspx

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Notes for the editor:

Eurofins - a global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins Scientific is the world leader in food and pharmaceutical products testing. It is also number one in the world in the field of environmental laboratory services and one of the global market leaders in agroscience, genomics, discovery pharmacology and central laboratory services.

With over 13,000 staff in more than 170 laboratories across 35 countries, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 100,000 reliable analytical methods for evaluating the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin and purity of biological substances and products. The Group provides its customers with high-quality services, accurate results in time and expert advice by its highly qualified staff.

Eurofins is committed to pursuing its dynamic growth strategy by expanding both its technology portfolio and its geographic reach. Through R&D and acquisitions, the Group draws on the latest developments in the field of biotechnology and analytical chemistry to offer its clients unique analytical solutions and the most comprehensive range of testing methods.

As one of the most innovative and quality oriented international players in its industry, Eurofins is ideally positioned to support its clients' increasingly stringent quality and safety standards and the expanding demands of regulatory authorities around the world.

The shares of Eurofins Scientific are listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN FR0000038259, Reuters EUFI.PA, Bloomberg ERF FP).

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