From Quantitative Advances to On-the-Go Assurance: What’s Next in Food Allergen Testing

The New Era of Food Allergen Testing

Food allergen testing is no longer just a checkbox on a compliance form. In 2025, it’s a strategic process that affects consumer safety, brand trust, and regulatory standing. As food allergies continue to rise globally, businesses must go beyond standard detection methods and move toward real-time, multi-allergen, and data-rich approaches.

This guide explores the latest technologies, including multiplex testing, biosensors, and AI-powered protein models, and introduces how tools like ATP swabs and an ATP meter traditionally used for hygiene monitoring now play a supporting role in the larger framework of allergen control.

Global Market Trends in Allergen Testing

The food allergen testing market is projected to more than double over the next decade, climbing from around $970 million in 2025 to over $2 billion by 2035. Several drivers influence this growth:

• Increased consumer awareness
• More complex global food supply chains
• Regulatory tightening in the U.S., EU, and Asia
• Increased demand for accurate, multi-allergen results

This evolving landscape calls for testing methods that are faster, more sensitive, and easier to integrate into on-site QA routines.

Comparing Today’s Allergen Testing Methods

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)

• Most widely used method
• Detects specific proteins with high sensitivity
• Cost-effective and easy to perform
• Great for common allergens like gluten, peanut, egg
• Limitations: Single-allergen focus; may underperform in processed food matrices

Lateral Flow Devices (LFDs)

• Similar to home pregnancy tests
• Provide yes/no results in minutes
• Ideal for quick line checks or mobile teams
• Not as sensitive as ELISA or PCR

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

• Detects DNA fragments of allergenic foods
• Exceptionally sensitive and accurate
• Can identify allergens even in heat-treated or highly processed foods
• Increasingly used for high-risk validation and regulatory compliance

Mass Spectrometry (MS)

• Gold standard for protein identification
• Useful for multi-allergen detection
• Costly, requires trained personnel
• Primarily used in research or reference laboratories

What is Multiplex Allergen Testing?

Multiplex testing allows for the simultaneous detection of multiple allergens in one assay. This drastically cuts testing time and resource requirements. Imagine being able to test for milk, egg, peanut, soy, and shellfish from a single sample and in one result window.

This capability is a game-changer for:

• Large food processors
• Contract manufacturers
• Import/export regulatory inspection labs

Role of ATP Swabs and ATP Meters in Allergen Control

You might associate ATP swabs and an ATP meter with surface hygiene verification—but they’re incredibly helpful in food allergen risk management too. Here’s how:

• Pre-cleaning check: After a production run involving allergens, ATP testing can detect residual organic matter before sanitation even starts.
• Post-cleaning validation: Once cleaned, low RLU readings from the ATP meter increase confidence that proteins (and likely allergens) have been removed.
• Ongoing QA: Use ATP data to monitor sanitation performance over time and spot recurring trouble zones.

While ATP doesn’t detect specific allergens, it serves as a rapid, cost-effective checkpoint to reduce allergen exposure risk between full allergen-specific tests.

Innovations Shaping the Future of Food Allergen Testing

1. Portable Biosensors and Microfluidics

Imagine allergen tests that work like blood glucose meters. Biosensor-based kits are hitting the market with real-time results, minimal training, and mobile deployment. These are ideal for use in small kitchens, food trucks, and pop-up processing sites.

2. AI-Enhanced Testing: The Applm Model

Researchers have recently introduced Applm, an AI-based protein modeling system that accurately predicts allergenicity. This tool can help ingredient manufacturers pre-screen new compounds before they ever hit a food label.

3. Multiplexed Immunoassays and Mass Spec Panels

New platforms allow for high-throughput multi-allergen screening, enabling more comprehensive quality control without increasing turnaround time.

4. Cloud-Integrated ATP Systems

Advanced ATP meters like the Hygiena EnSURE® Touch now integrate with digital dashboards, syncing RLU readings for easy tracking and documentation. This can enhance allergen program audits by adding visibility to pre/post-cleaning routines.

Choosing the Right Strategy for Your Business

The best food allergen testing solution depends on:

• Product type (liquid, dry, processed)
• Allergens in use
• Volume of production
• Risk tolerance
• Budget and resources

For instance, a peanut butter manufacturer will benefit from layered testing:

• ELISA for routine testing
• PCR for periodic validation
• ATP swabbing after allergen clean-ups

A fresh produce packager, on the other hand, might rely more on LFDs and ATP testing for routine sanitation, given a lower allergen risk.

Implementing a Layered Testing Protocol

1. Assess allergen risk per production line or recipe
2. Use ATP swabs and meter to verify surface cleanliness before and after sanitation
3. Run allergen-specific tests (ELISA, LFD, or PCR) for the allergens of concern
4. Log all results for traceability and internal audits
5. Adjust SOPs based on trend data and non-conformance findings

Internal Benefits of Proactive Allergen Testing

• Fewer recalls and rework incidents
• Improved audit readiness for third-party or regulatory inspections
• Data-driven sanitation instead of assumptions
• Confidence for customers (especially private-label clients)

FAQs: Food Allergen Testing in 2025

What’s the difference between ATP testing and allergen testing?

ATP testing detects any organic material (like food residue, bacteria), while allergen tests target specific allergenic proteins. ATP is a fast hygiene screening tool, whereas ELISA/PCR offers allergen-specific results.

Can ATP meters help prevent allergen contamination?

Yes, ATP meters provide real-time RLU scores that indicate whether a surface may still have residue. If ATP is present, allergens might be too. It’s a smart checkpoint before using more costly allergen tests.

What’s the best test for multiple allergens at once?

Multiplex immunoassays or mass spectrometry panels allow for simultaneous testing of multiple allergens in a single sample. They’re best for complex facilities and large production runs.

Are portable allergen tests reliable?

Modern LFD kits are very reliable for quick yes/no answers, especially when procedures are followed precisely. They’re ideal for real-time decision-making.

How often should food businesses test for allergens?

This depends on risk level, but most companies test:

• Before allergen-free runs
• After cleaning shared lines
• During periodic validation audits

Use ATP swabs daily and combine them with allergen-specific methods on a regular schedule.

Food Safety Meets Innovation

As food safety expectations grow, allergen testing is evolving—and companies that embrace innovation will be better protected. By combining modern tools like ATP meters, biosensors, and multiplex tests, you can create a powerful, layered defense against costly contamination incidents.

Empacs Group supports your allergen management goals with a wide range of ATP hygiene monitoring tools and emerging food testing solutions.

Explore our ATP and allergen testing solutions to take your quality assurance strategy into the future.