ST. PAUL, Minn. – 3M Food Safety announced today that the 3M™ Coconut Protein Rapid Test, a qualitative immunochromatographic lateral flow test designed for the detection of coconut proteins, has earned AOAC® Performance Tested MethodsSM (PTM) Certificate number 061903 from the AOAC Research Institute. Requiring minimum sample preparation and short incubation periods, the test is designed to detect both processed and unprocessed coconut proteins and can accommodate clean-in-place (CIP) final rinse water, environmental swab samples, raw ingredients and finished food products.

An independent laboratory tested the method on CIP final rinse water, stainless steel surface and a variety of food matrices including incurred cookies, blueberry yogurt, soy milk, chocolate powder and vanilla ice-cream. The data collected in the studies demonstrate that the 3M Coconut Protein Rapid Kit is a reliable method for detecting coconut proteins in select food and environmental samples at concentrations as low as 2 ppm.

“We are extremely proud to be the first company to receive this AOAC certification for a coconut protein rapid test,” said Gabriela Lopez Velasco, Ph.D., 3M Food Safety Global Technical Service Specialist. “We know this is an important issue for consumers with a coconut allergy, and we are pleased to offer the food industry a validated method that’s easy-to-use as part of their Allergen Control Plans.”

AOAC Research Institute, based in Rockville, Md., is a subsidiary of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, a globally recognized, independent, not-for-profit association founded in 1884. AOAC serves communities of the analytical sciences by providing the tools and processes necessary to develop standards and methods.

3M Food Safety is a leader of innovative solutions that help the food and beverage industries optimize the quality and safety of their products in order to enable consumer protection and improve their bottom lines. Individuals who wish to order the 3M Coconut Protein Rapid Kit, or learn more about it and other 3M products are invited to contact their regional sales representative at (800) 328-6553 or www.3M.com/CoconutAllergenTest.

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