Food allergens: From classification and detection to risk management

Food allergy remains a significant global public health concern, driving the continuous advancement of detection technologies. This review critically examines the evolution of food allergen detection methods, from traditional immunoassays and nucleic acid-based techniques to advanced biosensors and mass spectrometry platforms. Despite significant progress, these technologies still face challenges, including the influence of food matrices, epitope modifications during processing, and operational limitations. The review also discusses how these advancements inform the creation of international labeling regulations. DNA-based methods are useful for ingredient verification but do not provide protein-level confirmation. Future advancements should focus on standardizing detection methods, developing matrix-matched certified reference materials, and establishing labeling regulations based on clinical threshold data. • No single platform is universally reliable for allergen detection across diverse foods and processing conditions. • Mass spectrometry proves most robust in processed foods by targeting stable peptide markers. • Harmonized thresholds and science-based labeling are urgently needed for global consumer protection.