2 replies to this topic

[bill1952]

I am looking for documentation that describes the threshold limit for peanuts in candy manufacturing. In candy manufacturing I use a matrix to control allergen issues. I would like to find documentation on the threshold level for peanuts. In the FDA there is no set standard for a threshold. I have found a threshold for gluten ( not an allergen of the big 8). There is a paper that gives a limit of 7'mu' grams which is extremely high sensitivity.
Because I will be going through SQF certification this year I will be putting an allergen program, SOP and documentation in place. I now need to set limits and there is none that I can find for peanuts. If there is documentation for controlling peanut residue please give me a source or link. I use a peanut test kit Neogen Reveal 3-D to test for peanut residue. I have enrobbers which also makes controlling peanut allergen critical.
Thanks for any help

B

[Charles.C]

I am looking for documentation that describes the threshold limit for peanuts in candy manufacturing. In candy manufacturing I use a matrix to control allergen issues. I would like to find documentation on the threshold level for peanuts. In the FDA there is no set standard for a threshold. I have found a threshold for gluten ( not an allergen of the big 8). There is a paper that gives a limit of 7'mu' grams which is extremely high sensitivity.
Because I will be going through SQF certification this year I will be putting an allergen program, SOP and documentation in place. I now need to set limits and there is none that I can find for peanuts. If there is documentation for controlling peanut residue please give me a source or link. I use a peanut test kit Neogen Reveal 3-D to test for peanut residue. I have enrobbers which also makes controlling peanut allergen critical.
Thanks for any help
B

Dear bill,

It’s not my field particularly but you are likely correct that for food products in general no legislatory thresholds exist for peanut (and most other) allergens, anywhere. Hence the subsequent conundrums regarding labelling and detection limits.
(Posters with recent contrary information are only too welcome to add to the thread).

Eg http://www.ifst.org/...gen_management/
(very readable and hopefully up-to-date [inc. a ref to a 2010 publication] )
Eg http://farrp.unl.edu...earch/article-3
Eg http://www.bestaller...n-free-meaning/


I could not see any specifically dated publications post 2011 however specialist allergen websites are hopefully reliable together with specialist websites relating to official national requirements.

From a short look around, I noticed these useful-looking sources -

(1)
For example this (randomly selected) website seemed quite knowledgeable and globally informative –
http://www.foodaller...fac/Assess.html

(2)
(I daresay you are familiar with following item already but it seemed fundamental to the topic).
This USFDA link is stated to have been last updated in 2011 although most refs seem as per original issue, ie up to 2006. Perhaps the official US (and global?) situation has not changed that much since then ?.
http://www.fda.gov/f...n/ucm106108.htm
Above link also has some impressive Appendices which detail aspects such as the requirements / limitations / interpretations for establishing thresholds (eg LOAEL, NOAEL, etc) –
http://www.fda.gov/F....htm#table-iv-1

 

added 010414 by Charles.C - both above links removed or moved > NOT FOUND. This file prob. contains all the referenced material -

 Approaches to Establish Thresholds for Major Food Allergens and for Gluten in Food, 2006,.pdf   497.05KB   20 downloads

(3)
This FARRP 2011 document comments on the above FDA paper and contains specific peanut threshold data / discussions links up to 2010 (see pgs 51 - 59)
 Global Perspective Food Allergens FARRP 2011.pdf   1.07MB   59 downloads

With respect to some of the SQF viewpoints on allergens there are several recent threads here, eg

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__57980

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__56490

Rgds / Charles.C

[allergenen]

VITAL is a scientific based risk approach for allergens, including a portion size depended action level (peanut incluede). More info: http://allergenbureau.net/vital/vital