This document specifies a method for the qualitative detection of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) DNA in food using real-time PCR and targeting a multicopy mitochondrial sequence, in the context of allergen analyses. The method was previously validated in an interlaboratory study (ring trial) and applied to DNA extracted from samples that consist of defined proportions of peanut in rice biscuits, wheat biscuits, cooked sausage and milk powder. The limit of detection of the peanut real-time PCR has been determined experimentally to be at least 0,5 mg peanut/kg.