Testing food and feed authenticity for consumer and public health protection
In today's global economy, a food product or its ingredients may be sourced from a single farm or from producers and manufacturers worldwide. Truth-in-labeling regulations are enforced to verify the authenticity and origins of these products as they are exported around the globe. Recurring food contamination scandals have shown that constant monitoring is required to prevent counterfeiting and intentional or unintentional adulteration.
Next generation food screening and identification requires an expanded toolset to address the increase in food fraud cases and ensure food authenticity.
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Featured food authenticity and profiling testing categories
Routine food testing and forensic investigations benefit from a variety of food profiling techniques. Genomic approaches utilize nuclear or mitochondrial DNA to generate genetic profiles. Proteomics characterizes food and food products through the analysis of proteins and peptides. Metabolomics provides deep insights into the overall composition of food products, while isotopolomics can provide the analysis of isotopic ratios and rare earth elements.
By analyzing food products with these various food profiling techniques, databases can be generated to easily identify quality parameters like geographic origin, production type, variety and many more.
Fingerprinting and origin using isotopic ratio analysis
Because food fraud is a problem at every stage of the food and beverage supply chain and consumers are increasingly concerned about food safety, quality, and sourcing; product labels should be accurate. To protect the reputations of your company and clients and encourage customer loyalty, food fingerprinting and isotope analysis can be used to determine the authenticity of ingredients.
Isotope fingerprint in food and beverage products is region or process specific
| Isotope fingerprint | What is the biogeochemical interpretation? | What is an example of food fraud interpretation? | What products can be affected? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | Botanical origin (C3, C4 and CAM photosynthesis) | Adulteration (e.g. sweetening with cheap sugar) | Honey, liquor, wine, olive oil, butter, flavors |
| Nitrogen | Soil processes, plant fertilizer processes | Mislabeling (Differentiate organic and non-organic) | Fruits and vegetables, animal meat |
| Sulfur | Local soil conditions, proximity to shoreline | Origin of product | Fruits and vegetables, animal meat, honey |
| Oxygen | Principally related to local-regional rainfall and hence geographical area | Watering of beverages, place of origin of product | Coffee, wine, liquor, water, sugar, animal meat, flavors |
| Hydrogen | Related to local-regional rainfall and hence geographical area | Watering of beverages, origin of product | Coffee, wine, liquor, water, sugar, animal meat, flavors |
Configuration/Use case
These processes can be traced using carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen and hydrogen isotopes, indicating the origin and history of food and beverage products.
| Instruments and Software | Various configurations available |
|---|---|
| Gas Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) Qtegra ISDS Software for gas IRMS | H, C, N, O, S |
| Accessories | Typical use case |
| Thermo Scientific EA IsoLink IRMS System | Analyze bulk samples |
| Thermo Scientific GC IsoLink II IRMS System | Analyze volatile compounds |
| Thermo Scientific LC IsoLink II IRMS System | Analyze polar compounds |
| Thermo Scientific GasBench Plus IRMS System | Analyze beverages using headspace gas equilibration |
Isotope fingerprint in food and beverage products is region or process specific
| Isotope fingerprint | What is the biogeochemical interpretation? | What is an example of food fraud interpretation? | What products can be affected? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | Botanical origin (C3, C4 and CAM photosynthesis) | Adulteration (e.g. sweetening with cheap sugar) | Honey, liquor, wine, olive oil, butter, flavors |
| Nitrogen | Soil processes, plant fertilizer processes | Mislabeling (Differentiate organic and non-organic) | Fruits and vegetables, animal meat |
| Sulfur | Local soil conditions, proximity to shoreline | Origin of product | Fruits and vegetables, animal meat, honey |
| Oxygen | Principally related to local-regional rainfall and hence geographical area | Watering of beverages, place of origin of product | Coffee, wine, liquor, water, sugar, animal meat, flavors |
| Hydrogen | Related to local-regional rainfall and hence geographical area | Watering of beverages, origin of product | Coffee, wine, liquor, water, sugar, animal meat, flavors |
Configuration/Use case
These processes can be traced using carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen and hydrogen isotopes, indicating the origin and history of food and beverage products.
| Instruments and Software | Various configurations available |
|---|---|
| Gas Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) Qtegra ISDS Software for gas IRMS | H, C, N, O, S |
| Accessories | Typical use case |
| Thermo Scientific EA IsoLink IRMS System | Analyze bulk samples |
| Thermo Scientific GC IsoLink II IRMS System | Analyze volatile compounds |
| Thermo Scientific LC IsoLink II IRMS System | Analyze polar compounds |
| Thermo Scientific GasBench Plus IRMS System | Analyze beverages using headspace gas equilibration |
Become an Isotope Hunter - Isotope Fingerprints Compendium
Are you performing origin analysis? Don't miss this introduction to Isotope Fingerprints and how they are used for origin and authenticity for food integrity applications.
Isotope fingerprints: Finding clues, tracking origins and unraveling history
History can't hide from the isotope hunter. Geography, geology, and growth conditions of foods, fibers, liquids, and stone are embedded in their unique isotope fingerprints. Trace your sample history with our complete portfolio of IRMS systems.
Foodomics using the analysis of the molecular composition of foodstuffs
Rapidly obtain valuable information about the biochemical composition of food through mass spectrometry-based proteomics and metabolomics approaches. Total confirmational confidence in authenticity and adulteration testing with specificity and sensitivity is enabled through Orbitrap high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) LCMS and GCMS workflows.
Sensitive and accurate meat speciation investigation with HRAM LCMS
Food testing laboratories traditionally perform speciation testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For public health and food safety authenticity investigations, these methods require intense customization to achieve the required sensitivity and accuracy and the molecular information is incomplete, making data mining post-analysis impossible.
Using a bottom up LCMS proteomic strategy, meat speciation testing can achieve the sensitivity and selectivity required to detect meat adulteration with accuracy.
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Characterization and authentication of food samples using integrated metabolomics
Flavor profiling and authentication can be a challenging analysis as the sample matrices encountered are chemically complex, the compounds are present over a wide dynamic range, and profiling requires sensitive and stable systems. An integrated metabolomics approach can accelerate characterization and identification of volatile and non-volatile food samples for profiling and food investigations.
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Transform your food discovery characterization and identification studies
Discovery-based small molecule research has re-emerged as a key sector due to the creation and expansion of many routine applications. Targeted screening and quantitative workflows may only profile a fraction of the sample-specific compounds, potentially missing critical factors, whether this means limited coverage of metabolites and degradants, outstanding unknown or unexpected pesticides, or the misidentification or characterization of natural products that could potentially provide health benefits.
Next generation sequencing technologies, including high-throughput digital PCR, are enabling rapid identification of pathogenic bacteria and fungi to ensure food sources are safe before they reach shelves and tables.
GMO-specific DNA detection and quantification
Find GMO real-time PCR testing solutions for your complete workflow with Applied Biosystems TaqMan GMO Detection and Quantification Kits, supplied in partnership with Imegen™.
Reliable detection and quantification of species DNA in meat and feed samples. Identification of specific meat or fish species present in food samples is an essential step for verification of origin and traceability of raw materials, as well as for quality control of handling and cleaning processes in production lines. We offer a broad portfolio of high sensitivity, real-time PCR based meat species and fish detection and quantification testing solutions.
- Rapid: Same day results
- Full workflow solution: DNA extraction options for low and high sample input
- High sensitivity: Detection of mitochondrial DNA
- Quantitative: Quantification based on DNA standards, species DNA/total animal DNA result (%)
Meat species detection, screening, and quantification
When verifying the origin and traceability of raw materials and for quality control of handling and cleaning processes in production lines, it is essential to accurately identify meat and fish species in food and ingredient samples. Learn more about the real-time PCR-based species detection and quantification solutions we have developed in collaboration with Imegen*.
Next generation sequencing for species screening and identification
Combat food fraud with a complete next generation sequencing (NGS) workflow for meat, fish and plant species screening and identification (ID). Initiate in-house multi-species ID testing of even the most complex food samples for accurate detection and differentiation of expected or unexpected species.
- Simple: ready-to-use kits include all necessary reagents for DNA labeling and amplification, and provide results with any sample type, including complex and processed samples
- Rapid: allows preparation of NGS library from extracted DNA within 4 hours
- Flexible: utilizes a unique labelling system in which the DNA of each food sample is individually identified with an exclusive barcoded DNA sequence, enabling analysis of multiple samples together for meat, fish and plant species
- Supported: our experienced technical team is ready to assist you
Keep informed about topics related to safety, quality and authenticity of foods and ingredients
Read the latest news, articles and updates in the Food Safety and Authenticity Bulletin.
Learn more about the latest food microbiology testing issues, trends, and solutions
Explore our Food Safety and Authenticity Webinar Hub to learn about the latest issues and trends within food microbiology testing, from experts working in the fields of food pathogen detection, authenticity, and food safety testing.
How isotopes can help with food authenticity control
Isotopic analyses of foods have become a widespread tool to evaluate the quality, authenticity and origin of food products. See how IRMS technology is improving food quality.
Related links for more food profiling, authenticity, and labeling testing information
- Carbohydrate Testing Information
- Dietary Supplements Information
- Edible Oil Testing Information
- Environmental Pollutants in Foods Information
- Food Adulteration Analysis Information
- Food Authenticity Information
- Food & Beverage Resource Library
- Food Packaging and Contact Materials Information
- Food Processing Contaminants Information
- Metabolomics
- Mass Spectrometry Resource Library
- Natural Toxins & Biotoxins Analysis Information
- Nutraceutical Analysis Information
- Nutritional & Food Label Testing Information
- Pesticide Residues Testing Information
- Trace Elemental and Speciation Analysis Information
- Veterinary Drug Residues Testing Information
Technology quick links
- Automated Sample Preparation Solutions
- Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy
- Gas Chromatography (GC)
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
- GMO-specific DNA detection and quantification
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Related links for more food profiling, authenticity, and labeling testing information
- Carbohydrate Testing Information
- Dietary Supplements Information
- Edible Oil Testing Information
- Environmental Pollutants in Foods Information
- Food Adulteration Analysis Information
- Food Authenticity Information
- Food & Beverage Resource Library
- Food Packaging and Contact Materials Information
- Food Processing Contaminants Information
- Metabolomics
- Mass Spectrometry Resource Library
- Natural Toxins & Biotoxins Analysis Information
- Nutraceutical Analysis Information
- Nutritional & Food Label Testing Information
- Pesticide Residues Testing Information
- Trace Elemental and Speciation Analysis Information
- Veterinary Drug Residues Testing Information
Technology quick links
- Automated Sample Preparation Solutions
- Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy
- Gas Chromatography (GC)
- Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
- GMO-specific DNA detection and quantification
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)