We're pleased to say that FoodAuthenticity is now officially at www.foodauthenticity.global.
Site members may need to sign again in to the .global site, as browsers with saved passwords will not transfer the saved password automatically.
We will be maintaining foodauthenticity.uk to redirect automatically to the new .global address, but please remember to use the .global address in referring to the site.
The FoodAuthenticity research page has recently been updated with a number of additional research reports and SOP references. About 12 projects have been added, covering topics a wide range of toics, including IR and Raman determination of vegetable oil species, feasibility of spectral imaging for food authenticity, proteomics and metagenomics methods, and a review of methods for distinguishing mechanically recovered meat. An SOP for calibration and use of IR and Raman methods for vegetable oils has also been added to our document site at http://documents.foodauthenticity.uk.
Defra have approved the listing of 13 Centres of Expertise in Food Authenticity testing. Centres of Expertise are designated by self-declaration assessed against criteria set by the Authenticity Methods Working Group. Further information can be found at the links below:
FoodAuthenticity.uk is built on a social networking platform so that members can start discussions, participate, and receive updates and alerts on topics that interest them. To help members find out more about using the site we've published a set of hints and tips on using the site, controlling updates, how to contact other members and other features of the site.
To find out more, head over to the Hints and Tips page. Members will also find a link to the hints and tips page under the "My Page" tab on the menu.
Links to some key regulations for food authenticity control have now been added to the site: see the 'legislation' tab on the extended Policy and Law page.
Food manufacturers and suppliers need to ensure they are up to speed with new food safety standards, which have been introduced following ‘Horsegate’, says Michele Perrett at GlobalMeatnews.com
See http://www.globalmeatnews.com/Safety-Legislation/Suppliers-must-adhere-to-new-BRC-guidelines for the complete article
A recent US article drawing consumer attention to food adulteration issues says that "The food you’re placing in your grocery cart may not be exactly what it says it is."
Examples given include spices, olive oil, honey seafood, fruit juices and Parmesan cheese.
A new meat species authentication method designed for Halal food verification has been developed by scientists at the University of Münster, using a SCIEX QTRAP® 6500 LC-MS/MS system. BusinessWire reports that the method that can detect multiple species simultaneously.
The Food and Drink Federation have welcomed the creation and launch of the UK's new Virtual Food Authenticity Network, and have committed to support their members in the food authenticity testing they undertake. They have also produced a best practice Food Authenticity Guide. The announcement can be found on the FDF website.
A recent survey undertaken by professor Chris Elliott on behalf of Which? magazine has found that a quarter of 78 samples labelled as oregano contained other ingredients, in some cases forming up to 70% of the product.
Site members can also find a new member discussion on this issue on the site's discussion pages.
A recent article at FoodQualityNews.com reports on the outcome of a series of webinars, and comments on the increased vlunerability to fraud arising from the globalised food supply chain. See the article, Complex and globalized food supply increases vulnerability to fraud, for details.
A food and drink research firm has been chosen by the UK government to carry out authenticity. Authenticity testing is necessary to identify cases of fraud where olive oil is adulterated with inferior quality oils or other vegetable oils. See the Olive Oil Times article for more information.
A trial site based on the Ning social platform opened on 29 April. The complete IT solution is intended to provide the following features:
The trial site will be open for up to two weeks in the first instance. If successful, it may form the basis for the live site.
