Detection of peanut allergens in retail food items in Serbia (2021-2024)

Vesna V. Janković; Branko Velebit; Radmila Mitrović; Brankica Lakićević; Lazar Milojević; Dunja Mišić; Luka Dragačević

doi:10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.53

Vesna V. Janković Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0095-1498
Branko Velebit Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7577-8074
Radmila Mitrović Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2912-2784
Brankica Lakićević Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0175-5830
Lazar Milojević Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6901-6033
Dunja Mišić https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2213-2612
Luka Dragačević Torlak Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1662-0493

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.53

Keywords: food allergens, peanuts, PCR, Serbian market

Abstract

Food allergies are a significant and growing public health concern globally, impacting millions of individuals and placing immense pressure on healthcare systems and personal well-being. Peanuts are one of the 14 fundamental food allergens, making them potentially harmful. As a result, the goal of this mini review is to assess the prevalence of peanuts in commercial food products in Serbia between 2021 and 2024. The current study summarizes the qualitative detection of specific DNA sequences using real-time PCR techniques on 212 commercial food goods, including frozen desserts, biscuits and related products, cream products, snacks, and sausages. Undeclared peanut allergen DNA occurred across different food categories, with positive results observed in frozen desserts (n=3), biscuits (n=4), and snacks (n=2). Peanut allergen DNA was detected in six samples with a precautionary allergen label (PAL) statement, while in the case of three samples in which peanut allergen DNA was detected, the presence of the allergen was not stated at all.