Allergen quantitative risk assessment (QRA)

Expert support in understanding and applying QRA

Food businesses are under pressure to provide accurate allergen information, avoid unnecessary use of precautionary allergen labelling (PAL; “may contain”), and comply with evolving regulatory and scientific expectations around allergen risk-based communication.

However, many businesses struggle with uncertainty about the actual level of allergen cross-contact; lack of data on allergen protein concentration in raw materials and finished products; inconsistent approaches to risk assessment across the supply chain; difficulty applying quantitative thresholds in real-world settings.

Quantitative risk assessment is a rapidly evolving way of using a risk-based approach for the assessment and provision of PAL. To help food businesses apply quantitative, risk-based methods to assess allergen cross-contact and make informed decisions when applying PAL, our experts offer the following support:

• Expert advisory on QRA principles –
  • Support in understanding the science behind QRA (e.g. reference doses, ED01, ED05, Codex, ILSI and VITAL frameworks).
  • Guidance on how QRA differs from traditional qualitative assessments.
• Application of QRA to products –
  • Support in applying QRA to specific product lines or manufacturing processes.
  • Assistance in interpreting analytical data (e.g. ELISA, LC-MS) and estimating exposure levels.
• Cross-contact concentration estimation –
  • Help in cases where direct measurement is unavailable.
  • Use of modelling, historical data, and expert judgement to estimate allergen levels.
• PAL decision support –
  • Tools and documentation to support labelling decisions.
• Regulatory and scientific updates –
  • Help you stay up to date with ongoing developments in QRA methodology, PAL guidance, and global standards.
• Integration with Food Safety Systems –
  • Embedding QRA into HACCP, allergen management plans, and audit documentation.
  • Training and briefing for technical teams, NPD, and labelling specialists.

Benefits to your business

• Reduced overuse of PAL, improving consumer trust and product accessibility;
• Evidence-based allergen labelling, aligned with current science and regulation;
• Improved audit readiness and defensibility of allergen decisions;
• Enhanced internal capability to manage allergen risks quantitatively.

Food allergen testing

We offer flexible, bespoke food allergen testing, with interpretation support.