Introduction Food allergens are proteins that can trigger an immune response in allergic individuals such as nausea, vomiting, asthma, or in extreme cases anaphylactic shock. One of the most common food allergies in children is a milk allergy. Typically caused by cow’s milk, this allergy can also come from sheep, goats, buffalo, and other mammals. Symptoms include wheezing, vomiting, hives, digestive problems, and even anaphylaxis. Fortunately, studies have shown that most children will outgrow a milk allergy.

Objective To evaluate the performance of two rapid lateral flow milk assays on various market basket products.

Materials and Methods 10 milk-containing (n=6) and non-milk-containing (n=10) products were analyzed.  Milk containing samples were analyzed neat and diluted to extinction.  Non milk containing samples were spiked using a qualified milk spike stock increasing in 1 ppm increments until a positive result was achieved. In addition, milk spikes were swabbed off a stainless-steel surface (n=3 per level) to verify the detection level of a swab for each test kit. 

Results Both rapid milk test kits performed exceptionally well. For non-milk containing samples, spiking data showed recovery down to 5 ppm total food (1.8 ppm protein) on all samples. With market basket samples containing milk, the test kits detected milk below kit detection levels to ensure kit sensitivity within various matrices, down to 3 ppm total food (1.1 ppm protein). In addition, the surface swabbing analysis indicated that the test kits can detect low levels of milk on food contact surfaces.

Significance To ensure the safety of consumers with a milk allergy, it is of high importance to have a quick and reliable test for food manufacturers to use at their facilities. The data shows that Neogen has two such rapid test kits allowing food manufacturers to have cost effective options when analyzing for milk allergens.