Conferences, videos, test kits and other resources are available to food engineers seeking guidance in addressing food allergens issues. They include:

"A Comprehensive Approach to Reducing the Risk of Allergens in Foods," pages 426-441, Journal of Food Protection, No. 4, 1997. Reprints available for $3 from the International Association of Milk, Food and Environmental Sanitarians. Call (515) 276-3344.

Food Allergens Workshop, July 25-26 in Chicago, sponsored by FARRP. Designed for food engineers, marketers, legal professionals and others, with conference fees ranging from $420 to $550. Contact Pat Cohen, (404) 252-3663.

"Allergy Beware," a video and employee training program for food companies, produced by the Food and Consumer Products Manufacturers of Canada. The cost is $300 (Canadian) for members, $600 nonmembers (video only available for $30/$60). Contact FCPMC, (416) 510-8024.

"Everyday Heroes: Reducing the Allergen Risk in Food Processing," a video and supplemental training materials for in-plant training programs. Produced by FARRP, and available through Madallion Laboratories, (612) 764-4453, the package costs $300 per set.

Test kits that allow in-house technicians to check for the presence of specific allergens in finished products are available from four laboratories:

Canadian Food Technology, (905) 731-4544.
ELISA Technologies Inc., (352) 337-3929.
Neogen Technology Inc., (517) 372-9200.
R-BioPharm Inc., (616) 789-3033.