Peanut and hazelnut traces in cookies and chocolates: Relationship between analytical results and declaration of food allergens on product labels

Abstract

Accidental exposure to hazelnut or peanut constitutes a real threat to the health of allergic consumers. Correct information regarding food product ingredients is of paramount importance for the consumer, thereby reducing exposure to food allergens. In this study, 569 cookies and chocolates on the European market were purchased. All products were analysed to determine peanut and hazelnut content, allowing a comparison of the analytical results with information provided on the product label. Compared to cookies, chocolates are more likely to contain undeclared allergens, while, in both food categories, hazelnut traces were detected at higher frequencies than peanut. The presence of a precautionary label was found to be related to a higher frequency of positive test results. The majority of chocolates carrying a precautionary label tested positive for hazelnut, whereas peanut traces were not be detected in 75% of the cookies carrying a precautionary label.

Keywords:

• Peanut
• hazelnut
• food labelling
• cookies
• chocolate
• ELISA
• dipstick
• monitoring

Acknowledgements

The views expressed are purely those of the writers and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating the official position of the European Commission. The authors would like to thank their colleagues Hubert Chassaigne, Lubomir Dasko, Ivanka Doncheva, Lubomir Karasek, Alexander Kubiak and Szilard Szilagyi for the collection of materials and assistance in translation of food labels, and Franz Ulberth for helpful discussions.