FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if my sample absorbs all of the extraction solution?  If a sample absorbs all of the extraction solution, and there is no clear liquid layer on top of the sample, try letting the sample settle for an extra 5 minutes (10 minutes total).  If this does not result in enough clear solution to perform the test, then it may be necessary to repeat the test with a new vial of extraction solution, this time using only half a spoonful.  Using less sample will effect the sensitivity of the test, but may be necessary for highly absorbent samples.

What is the hook line?  A high dose “hook effect” refers to the false negative result seen with lateral flow tests when very high levels of target are present in the tested sample.  Under these conditions, unbound gluten can block the test line, interfering with binding of the colloidal gold-labeled antibody-bound antigen, resulting in a false negative result.  The hook line found on the EZ Gluten® test strip allows the user to determine if a weak or absent signal at the Test line is due to low levels of gluten, or to excessively high levels of gluten.  If the Test line is weak or negative, and the Hook line is present, then the weak or negative signal is due to low levels of gluten. - If the Test line is weak or negative, and the Hook line is not present, this indicated a hook effect, or a high level of gluten in the sample.  The EZ Gluten® test can detect gluten levels as high as 100,000 ppm (10%).

How do I read my test strip? Once you remove the strip from the test tube hold the test along side the test identification sheet to read your results.

A) Negative (Gluten is not detected): The red control (C) and red hook (H) lines are present, but there is no red test (T) line.

B) Positive (Gluten is detected): The red control, hook and test lines are all present.

C) High Positive (High level of gluten) : Red control (C) and test (T) lines are present but there is no red hook (H) line.

D) Test Failure: There is no red control (C) line present, regardless of the presence of other red lines.  In this case, the test must be repeated.

Is there a bulk purchase discount?
Yes.  Any purchase of 10 or more kits will receive a 10% discount.  This applies to 10 or more 2-pack, 5-pack or 10-pack kits, not 10 or more individual tests.  For larger bulk orders, please contact us at 352-337-3929 for pricing.

Can the test strip be used more than once?
No, they are single-use tests

Does the kit need to be refrigerated?
No.  The kit may be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator.  Avoid high temperature storage, such as in a vehicle.

Are the tests portable?
Yes.  Everything you need to run the test is provided in each individual test packet.  All you need to provide is the food sample for testing.

Will this test tell me if I am gluten intolerant?
No, the EZ Gluten is only for detecting the presence of gluten in foods.

Can I test non-food items such as supplements, enzymes, medications, cosmetics, toiletries and cleaning products?
The EZ Gluten test was designed and validated for testing foods.  While it will also work in a variety of other sample types, we cannot guaranty the results or the limit of detection for non-food items.

I don’t see a ‘Test’ line at 10 minutes, although the ‘Control’ and ‘Hook’ lines are present.  However, a ‘Test’ line appears minutes or hours later.  Does this indicate that there is gluten in the sample?
No.  After an extended period of time, and particularly if the strip is allowed to dry out, there will be an artifact that forms along the test line due to the drying out of the conjugated antibody.  If you have a valid test at 10 minutes, meaning that the ‘Control’ line is present, then this is the point at which the test should be read.

Can I double the amount of sample I use to increase the sensitivity of the test?
No.  The buffers in the Extraction Solution were formulated to deal with a sample size of 0.5g or less.  Amounts greater than this can alter the pH of the extract and give false readings on the test.

Why does the test give false positive readings with ketchup and mustard?
During the development of the assay, one ketchup sample and a couple of mustard samples gave positive results on the EZ Gluten which could not be explained.  Several other ketchups and mustards have tested negative on the EZ Gluten, but in order to be safe, we suggest not testing ketchup or mustard.

Are the ketchup and mustard results due to the vinegar used in these products?
We have never had a vinegar sample test positive using the EZ Gluten assay, so we do not feel that this was the source of these results.