Authenticity
Authenticity testing is used to detect the addition of ingredients of lower value than those declared.
As long as trade has existed, economic adulteration of food and beverages has been a subject of concern. Dilution, mislabelling, partial or complete substitution of expensive ingredients are not infrequent practices and can inflict substantial damage on the companies involved if publicised.
Today there are analytical methods available that can be implemented in an effective quality control system to provide some assurance against these fraudulent practices.
Eurofins Analytical Offer
Authenticity analyses are 'made-to-measure' for each product and include basic methods and specific tests, selected to check for likely adulteration practises.
Eurofins' specificity is the use of isotopic techniques, and in particular a method of reference in authentication: SNIF-NMR®. This is one of the most powerful techniques for detecting the adulteration of natural products.
Eurofins also carries out molecular biology techniques and a large number of classic physical, chemical and biological methods: liquid or gas chromatography, spectroscopy (atomic absorption, ultraviolet,...), etc. The laboratory has a very wide range of analytical tools to control product authenticity.
Keeping up to date in authenticity testing requires a constant effort of research and development. With the different types of fraud becoming more and more sophisticated and increasingly difficult to detect by basic analyses since they have often been designed to pass the tests in use, it is essential to resort to advanced analytical techniques to detect the non-compliant products.
A considerable investment in research and development enables Eurofins to apply the most suitable methods to each specific case when controlling the authenticity of a product.
We also offer the possibility of setting up a targeted analytical approach and specific data bank to help protect producers from fraudulent imitations of their products or false declarations of geographic origin, notably in the case of PDO (Protected Denomination of Origin) certification.
Our Particular Expertise
- fruit juice and derived products, honey, maple syrup: detection of addition of sugar, water, colourings, aromas or other undeclared additives
- wines, ciders: detection of chaptalisation, sugaring, dilution or addition of glycerol, checking the process used in sparkling products,
- conformity to the isotopic profile
- spirits, beers: control of the botanical origin of the alcohol, detection of addition of water, sugars or flavours (according to current regulations and/or product specifications), dating of alcohols over 15 years old
- natural flavours: checking whether a flavour is natural (vanilla, aniseed, bitter almond, cinnamon, linalool, fruit flavours, etc.)
- caffeine: checking for natural or synthetic sources in tea, coffee or guarana containing drinks
- dairy products: confirmation of the main feed used (grass or maize silage), detection of the addition of lipids, lactose or casein, flavouring
- meat products: confirmation of the identity and geographical origin of some animal species
5 Reasons for Choosing Eurofins
- An international reference in the field of authenticity testing
- Participation in many European research projects
- Large reference data banks of authentic products
- Independent third party testing
- Rapid response and high flexibility