Laboratory managers can choose between plate-based reference methods or proprietary methods. Faster but often more expensive, how can we be sure proprietary methods meet or exceed reference method performance?IntroductionAnalytical methods and their performance parameters have been defined as one of the components of a microbiological criterion for [...]

A complex interrelationship of global, regional, national, and private trade and analytical standards for olive oil and olive oil grading provides assurance at every step from tree to consumer. IntroductionOlive oil is an ancient food oil with a long history and current prominence in dietary approaches based on traditional Mediterranean eating hab [...]

The list of regulated chemical substances is different, the maxium allowed concentrations are sometimes different and in each country or Federation there are often changes in the regulation. In a few cases such differences can represent a trade barrier.Abbreviations:Codex • Codex Alimentarius CommissionCU • Customs UnionML • Maximum LevelMRL [...]

Digital communication technologies have tremendous potential to facilitate effective risk communication about existing and emerging food safety threats. However, some caution regarding social exclusion and ethical issues is needed. The need for effective risk benefit communication Effective risk communication about food issues is important from t [...]

China and Russia are on a fast track to ramp up food trade, but several food safety issues must be solved first.Russia is eager to partially replace US products in the Chinese food market, but ongoing food safety disagreements remain a stumbling block for export growth. During the first ten months of 2020, Russia exported 3.7 million tonnes of foo [...]

How Neotron, a prominent Italian food testing laboratory, is becoming part of the growth strategy of the Swiss inspection and certification company.Cotecna Inspection SAFounded: 1974Present in: 50 countriesNumber of Laboratories/offices: 160Revenue: not providedEmployees: over 5 000Neotron SPAFounded: 1976Location: Modena, ItalyRevenue: not provide [...]

Simple devices that can be operated by non-laboratory staff are sufficiently accurate for identifying suspected non-compliant food batches. This kind of smart sampling can replace random sampling and make way for more efficient food fraud and safety controls.The food industry goes to great lengths to ensure the safety and quality of products on sto [...]

Do method sensitivities comply with recommended allergen reference doses? The ThRAll-EFSA project is developing a tool to quantify allergens in complex foods using MS techniques for improved analytical accuracy.The size of the food allergy problemFood allergies are a growing health burden worldwide. Although the true prevalence of food allergies is [...]

No topic dominated the media in 2020 like the COVID-19 pandemic.After endless deliberation over infec- tion counts and challenges to national health systems, public debate turned to controversial government-mandated containment measures to reduce COV- ID-19 transmission, such as wearing face masks, social distancing, and curfews. But for those resp [...]