This document provides an overall framework covering qualitative and quantitative methods for the determination of food allergens and allergenic ingredients using antibody-based methods in foods. This document specifies general guidelines and performance criteria for antibody-based methods for the detection and quantification of proteins that serve as markers for the presence of allergy provoking foods or food ingredients. Other methods than those described can also detect and identify the proteins. Guidelines, minimum requirements and performance criteria laid down in this document are intended to ensure that comparable and reproducible results are obtained by different analysts in food premises and laboratories.