Why is testing for cashew nuts necessary now?

Following the amendment to food labeling standards effective April 1, 2026, cashew nuts are now a mandatory allergen. Food businesses must accurately identify and label its presence.

What is the ELISA method?

It is a method that uses antigen-antibody reactions to detect and quantify specific proteins. This kit complies with Japanese government notices, ensuring high reliability for official testing.

How does this differ from the existing rapid test kits?

Rapid kits (NanoTrap) are for on-site screening, while the ELISA II kit is for precise quantitative analysis in laboratories, suitable for strict regulatory compliance.

Launch of Food Allergen Test Kit 'Morinaga FASPEK ELISA II Cashew Nut'

Published Apr 2, 2026 6:00 PM ・ Updated Jun 2, 2026 12:57 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

Morinaga Institute of Biological Science introduces a high-precision ELISA quantitative test kit for cashew nuts, compliant with the Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency's updated mandatory labeling standards.

Morinaga Institute of Biological Science, Inc. (Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama; President: Minoru Morita), a subsidiary of Morinaga & Co., Ltd., will begin sales of the 'Morinaga FASPEK ELISA II Cashew Nut' on April 6, 2026. This kit is designed for food allergen testing specifically targeting cashew nuts.

### Background In recent years, the number of patients with tree nut allergies has surged. According to the FY2024 'National Survey on Health Hazards caused by Immediate-type Food Allergies' by the Consumer Affairs Agency, tree nuts have become the second most common cause of allergic reactions, following eggs. Among tree nuts, cashew nuts rank second after walnuts. Furthermore, cashew nuts are the fifth most common cause of anaphylactic shock, highlighting the high risk they pose to allergic individuals.

In response to these findings, the Food Labeling Standards were amended on April 1, 2026, officially adding cashew nuts to the list of 'Specified Raw Materials' (mandatory labeling). Previously, cashew nuts were recommended for labeling as one of the 20 items equivalent to specified raw materials. By becoming the ninth item on the mandatory list, labeling is now a legal requirement. While there is a transition period, food business operators must re-verify their raw materials, manufacturing methods, and product labels.

Since March 2025, our company has offered the 'NanoTrap Pro II Cashew Nut' as a rapid kit for voluntary inspection. We are now launching the 'Morinaga FASPEK ELISA II Cashew Nut,' a quantitative test kit using the ELISA method that complies with the Director-General's Notice on Food Labeling Standards (Notice No. 139, March 30, 2015).

By offering both rapid and notice-compliant kits to meet diverse customer needs, we aim to contribute further to food safety and security.

### Product Information - Product Name: Morinaga FASPEK ELISA II Cashew Nut - Product Code: M2125 - Suggested Retail Price: 80,000 JPY (excluding tax)

Detailed product information will be available on our official website: https://www.morinaga-biosci.co.jp

### About Morinaga Institute of Biological Science, Inc. - Established: October 17, 1980 (Independent spin-off from the Biochemistry Lab of Morinaga & Co.'s Research Institute) - Capital: 30 million JPY (100% owned by Morinaga & Co., Ltd.) - Representative: Minoru Morita, President - Employees: 40 (as of March 1, 2026) - Location: 2-1-1 Shimosueyoshi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa - Main Business: R&D, manufacturing, and sales of enzyme immunoassay kits such as food allergen test kits and obesity/diabetes-related test kits.

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Source: PR TIMES
Category: New Product

Launch of Food Allergen Test Kit 'Morinaga FASPEK ELISA II Cashew Nut'

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