Allergen Cross Contact Dilution Calculator

Work out allergen cross contact dilution instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Allergen Cross Contact Dilution Calculator

Carry-over residue diluted into the following batch gives a concentration in milligrams per kilogram, which is parts per million. Comparing that against a reference action level derived from a quantitative risk assessment determines whether cleaning was adequate or a precautionary declaration is required.

Formulas

Cross-contact dilution

Concentration (ppm) = residue (mg) / batch size (kg)

Minimum batch

Minimum batch for compliance = residue / action level

Worked example

With the default values below, Allergen Cross Contact Dilution Calculator returns Residue Concentration In Batch of 0.50000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Allergen Residue Carried Overminimum 0 mg: 500 mg
Following Batch Sizeminimum 0 kg: 1,000 kg
Reference Action Levelminimum 0 ppm: 5 ppm
Method Detection Limitminimum 0 ppm: 2.5 ppm

Results

Residue Concentration In Batch: 0.50000
Minimum Batch Size For Compliance: 100.00
Risk Assessment: Below action level
Analytical Detectability: Below method detection limit

Step by step

1Values used
2Cross-contact dilution
3Minimum batch
4Residue Concentration In Batch= 0.50000
5Minimum Batch Size For Compliance= 100.00
6Risk Assessment= Below action level
7Analytical Detectability= Below method detection limit

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 5 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Allergen cross-contact is a serious food safety hazard that can cause fatal anaphylaxis. Controls must be validated by swab and analytical testing under a documented allergen management plan.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Allergen cross-contact is a serious food safety hazard that can cause fatal anaphylaxis. Controls must be validated by swab and analytical testing under a documented allergen management plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do action levels come from?

From quantitative risk assessment relating protein dose to eliciting dose distributions in allergic populations, such as the VITAL reference doses. They are allergen specific and are not arbitrary.

Is dilution an acceptable control?

No, not as a primary control. Cleaning validation, scheduling and segregation are the controls; dilution calculations are used to assess residual risk after those controls, not to replace them.