Neogen launches improved allergen test that detects processed soy

LANSING, Mich., March 26, 2009 — Neogen has expanded its line of food allergen test kits, already the most comprehensive available, to include an improved quantitative test for soy allergen that detects soy residues, including isolates, concentrates, flours, textured soy and soy flakes at various stages of processing. With the new test, these residues can be detected on environmental surfaces, and in various foods and liquids, including milk, juices, and clean-in-place rinses.

Neogen’s new Veratox® for Soy Allergen test kit is in the same format as its previously released quantitative food allergen tests, and utilizes similar laboratory equipment. The new test has received excellent response and consistent results from independent laboratories.

“The Veratox for Soy Flour Allergen test that we introduced in 2005 has been an effective tool for the food industry to be able to detect certain forms of soy ingredients, but many such ingredients remained undetectable due to limitation of the technology,” said Neogen’s Jennifer Baker. “Our new Veratox for Soy Allerge test offers the most comprehensive tool on the market for the food industry to be able to reliably detect the full spectrum of ingredients that possibly contain soy proteins.”

Veratox for Soy Allergen Test (product #8410) is intended for the quantitative analysis of soy residue in products, such as snack foods, cereals, granola and “power” bars, ice cream, salad dressings, pasta, processed meats, liquids (e.g., juices, soups and milk), and clean-in-place rinses. The test’s range of quantitation is 10 to 100 parts per million (ppm).

For the time being, Neogen will offer both the new Veratox for Soy Allergen test kit, and the earlier version, Veratox for Soy Flour Allergen (#8490), as soy allergen testers adapt to the new test. Neogen plans to gradually phase out the older test version completely.

The new test adds to Neogen’s line of food allergen test kits, which includes rapid tests for peanuts, milk, eggs, almonds, hazelnut, and gliadin (gluten). Neogen is the recognized leader in development and marketing of diagnostic tests to detect the inadvertent contamination of food with allergens that are not listed on the ingredient label.

Neogen’s food allergen testing products have been developed in close cooperation with the University of Nebraska’s Food Allergy Research and Resource Program (FARRP, www.farrp.org). FARRP is a food industry and university partnership that was formed to provide research and resource tools to the food industry. It is the leader in training and educating the industry on allergen awareness.

Neogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NEOG) develops and markets products and services dedicated to food and animal safety. The Company’s Food Safety Division markets dehydrated culture media, and diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, genetic modifications, food allergens, ruminant by-products, drug residues, plant diseases and sanitation concerns.