Ten key questions for establishing your own reference database
These aspects must be considered when selecting the reference material
Aug 2020. High-priced products, such as organic products, popular brands and scarce or bulk raw materials are particularly vulnerable to deliberate adulteration, commonly referred to in the media as "food fraud". Comparing an original sample for reference can confirm or disprove a suspected case and ensure the originality of a product. Verifying the origin of olive oil, the authenticity of fish or meat or the purity of natural products such as honey or fruit juices are some current examples.
Reference material is the key
Comparative analyses such as stable isotope analysis and DNA and NMR or NIR analysis are frequently used to check suspected cases of food fraud.
Depending on the nature of the suspected case, the first step is to formulate the most precise question possible: What exactly should be checked and can this be clarified with the help of comparative analysis? If this is the case, you need the corresponding reference material for comparison with the "suspect sample". The selected reference material is therefore of crucial importance. If the reference material is not in order, the questions asked cannot be answered satisfactorily.
How to select the right reference material for your database
The following aspects are important for the identification of representative reference material and for establishing your own reference database:
- Initial question
Which question should be answered by the comparison with the reference material, e.g. origin or purity? The nature of the question determines the focus of further questions. - Nature of the sample
Is it a pure substance or a mixture? Does only one component or several have to be balanced? In which ratio and with which weighting? At which point in the supply chain and in which processing state must the sampling take place? - Origin and originality
Where do you take the reference material? Depending on the question, the material should be taken directly from the source and in its original condition. Unsuitable samples are those from sales, from collection points, samples received from the producer of the suspect goods, etc. - Carrying out the sampling
Who takes the reference material? You yourself or a third, neutral authority? If possible, you should either take the sample yourself or have it taken by a neutral, reliable and trained sampler. - Representativeness of the sampling
Are there any special aspects that have to be taken into account when taking the sample? E.g. a certain number of sampling points in the field, sampling according to a certain pattern, at a certain harvest time or similar - An exact description of the sample
What information is required for the reference samples and must be included in the sampling? GPS data, altitude, climate data, degree of ripeness, previous crop etc. - Size of the sample
What is the minimum quantity that the reference sample must have? At how many locations should the reference material be deposited and how many analyses (runs) must be carried out per sample? - Packaging and shelf life of the sample
How should the reference sample be stored and how quickly should it be shipped? What about the stability of the ingredients, the optimum temperature, the packaging material? Samples should only be filled into new, clean sample containers and sealed directly. - Storage of the reference material
Where (internally / externally) and under which storage conditions should the reference material be stored and for what period of time? Archiving must be carried out professionally. - Commissioning of the database
Should an internal company database be set up or should the results of the references flow into a public database? Who gets access to the data?
The formulated questions and aspects are to be answered individually for each company. For this purpose, a detailed knowledge of the entire supply chain is absolutely necessary, as this will show where the reference material should be obtained from. There are similar, but not identical cases. In the context of their crisis prevention they should therefore also deal with the topic of reference material.
Advice from our experts
We will gladly advise you on your individual questions and support you in the procurement of suitable reference material. Eurofins has already built up extensive reference databases of its own and holds reference materials as well as the analytical data and spectra obtained from them.
Contact us, we will be happy to support you. Your personal account manager or our experts for food authenticity will gladly answer any questions you may have on the subject or on establishing your own reference database.
Further information
Analysis: Food Authenticity
service@eurofins.de
Practise example:
Stable isotope analysis for organic food
Organic and conventional products can be determined under certain conditions by means of stable isotope analysis. The evaluated nitrogen isotope values allow conclusions to be drawn on the production of plant and animal products. In the last 20 years a whole range of products has been investigated, so that today, with the help of additional background information, typical nitrogen isotope values can be defined for the organic and conventional sector. The question of the use of conventional nitrogen fertiliser in the production of organic products is thus only raised for organic food.