Third Party Testing: Why It Matters

Food Allergies on the Rise

Did you know that an estimated 32 million Americans live with food allergies every day? How about the number of people who *still* aren’t aware of their allergies, or haven’t yet been diagnosed? The truth is that food allergies are becoming more common, which is why OWYN has chosen to create products and a brand with allergen friendly protocols in place, including 3rd party testing of all finished products that check for cross-contact of the top 9 allergens.

What Are Food Allergies?

Food allergies are an immune system reaction that normally occurs after eating specific foods that can activate an allergic reaction. During this time, the body sees these foods as a harmful component added to the body, which makes the immune system act in an abnormal manner, causing an allergic reaction. That’s why it’s crucial that food labeling is clear and consistent.

The Truth Behind Food Labels

There are regulations in place that require that food products made with the top 9 allergens - milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans–identify those foods by including them on the label. However, this regulation does not require that labels identify if there is cross contact with common allergens in a manufacturing facility. Some companies voluntarily offer precautionary language such as “may contain” or “processed in a facility that also processes”, but there are no laws requiring these statements.

It’s understandable that this may be unsettling if you live with food allergies or have food intolerances. A voluntary “may contain” label is not all that convincing. This is exactly why third-party testing is so important.

OWYN understands that it is crucial to ensure there is no cross contact with the top 9 allergens in manufacturing facilities. We have dedicated ourselves to testing for the top 9 food allergensin our products, so much so that if even a tiny trace amount is detected, it is not good enough.

What Does Third Party Tested Mean?

Our products are third party tested, which means that OWYN tests every lot, every time. All our products are tested for the presence of the top 9 allergens by using Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assays (ELISA). We use baseline allergen thresholds from industry, academic, and governmental sources to establish appropriate detectable amounts for consumption assessment. Additionally, OWYN oversees and records the movement and storage of each ingredient at every stage in the process, from vetted ingredient suppliers all the way to the contract manufacturer.

At OWYN, our mission is to provide full transparency into our ingredients, to ensure people with specific food allergies are able to enjoy our products with confidence. Our goal is to challenge the industry to adopt our standards.