Recent cases of food poisoning (in 2019) due to Salmonella and Listeria show that appeared in the media have highlighted the importance of the control and analysis of pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella) and the consequences for consumers and companies in the food sector. They have been serious cases, like 5 dead from eating sandwiches in the hospital in the UK, 5 dead by consuming trout and smoked salmon or French Government stopped  the production of a cheese company after finding Listeria in their products.

The new MicroLab device can detect the presence of Salmonella or Listeria in food samples in a simple and safe manner. The new system integrates all the assay steps into a single disposable device. It facilitates and speeds up the results while minimizing production losses in case of contamination.

This Prize is intended to award the companies that have been recognized for their support to research, innovation or knowledge transfer in Aragón.

Pilar Alegría, Innovation Advisor, Research and University of the Aragon Government, was responsible for awarding the private sector granting the prize to Zeulab. Luis Mata, our Technical Director received the award at the Caixaforum building in Zaragoza.

At Zeulab we think that cooperation, solidarity and development must be the three pillars in our business philosophy. For this reason, for years, we have been collaborating with different NGOs transmitting our commitment to eradicate the inequalities and mobilize consciousness as well.

Zeulab has carried out a CSR campaign with the Vicente Ferrer Foundation during 2017. The campaign consisted in assigning 1€ to the Foundation for each Explorer kit sold in the last year. The entire amount was donated for improving the education quality in India, for children with cerebral palsy in Kuderu (the Foundation’s Centre in India).

Good allergens management is not possible without bearing in mind the staff, from the top official, the staff which produce the alimentary products, cleaners to the visitors. We must mainly take care of two aspects: an adequate training in allergens and a good hygiene.

The project will take place between 2018 and 2020. One of the project’s targets is developing a new test for antibiotics detection in live animals.

ZEULAB launchs PROTEON DUO MILK EXPRESS, an easy, rapid, and reliable test for dual detection of β-lactoglobulin and casein in foodstuff, rinse water and surfaces. Specially designed for the food industry and related businesses.

Main characteristics of the test:

• Double rapid test: milk and its by-products detection in 10 min.
• Versatile: valid for highly processed food.
• Simple:no previous training or additional equipment are required
• Economic: 2 detections with only one rapid dip-stick test.

Analytical methods are needed for a correct management and control of potential allergen cross-contamination, as well as the reinforcement of the quality of the manufacturing and cleaning processes.

According to European regulation No 1169/2011, it is mandatory to report specific allergens present in a product.

Direct methods are recommended because they allow the detection of specific allergenic proteins, avoiding false positives, because they are able to distinguish accurately the presence of a particular allergen.

Food allergies are the exaggerated response of our immune system against the consumption, contact or inhalation of a food, its derivatives or an additive contained in the same. There is an increasingly important public health problem since its prevalence is increasing.

Management of allergens in the food industry is not a new system, but it is already an integral part of the food security control. An effective allergen management system should take into account all operations, from the supply of raw materials to production, handling or packaging.