Food authenticity testing by NMR

Introduction

In the modern food industry, ensuring the authenticity and quality of the products we consume is a top priority. Food fraud, mislabelling, and adulteration can undermine trust in the supply chain and jeopardize consumer health. To combat these challenges, the food industry has turned to advanced technologies such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, as well as allergen testing, microbiological analysis, and nutritional labelling. In this blog, we will explore how NMR and these complementary techniques are revolutionizing food authenticity testing, providing a detailed glimpse into the composition of various food products. Whether you're concerned about allergen content, microbial safety, or nutritional accuracy, these tools play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the food supply chain. Now, let's delve into the NMR and food authenticity testing aspects in more detail to incorporate these related concepts seamlessly.

What is NMR?

NMR, or Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, is a powerful analytical technique originally developed in the mid-20th century for studying the structure and composition of chemical compounds. It works by exploiting the magnetic properties of atomic nuclei, such as hydrogen and carbon, to create highly detailed spectral data. In recent years, NMR has found a new application in the food industry for authenticating and characterizing food products.

NMR: A Revolutionary Solution for Detecting Food Fraud and Ensuring Trust in the Food Industry

A transformative development in the field of food authentication is the adoption of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology. NMR offers a rapid solution to issues related to traceability and product identity, enabling quick verification in a matter of minutes. While NMR has been a long-established technology in the realm of medical research, it has now emerged as a crucial quality control method in the food industry. NMR's non-destructive and highly reproducible analytical capabilities provide comprehensive insights into a sample's molecular composition, offering undeniable evidence of a product's true makeup. This advancement empowers the industry to combat food fraud effectively and maintain the trust of all stakeholders.

Food Authenticity Testing: The Need

The global food supply chain is vast and complex, making it vulnerable to various forms of fraud and adulteration. Whether it's the substitution of premium ingredients with lower-quality alternatives, mislabelling the origin of products, or diluting high-value items with fillers, ensuring food authenticity is a challenge. Consumers today are increasingly concerned about what they consume, demanding transparency and authenticity from food manufacturers. This has led to a growing need for advanced analytical techniques like NMR to verify the integrity of food products.

The Power of NMR in Food Authenticity Testing

Aspect	Description
Identifying Ingredients	NMR allows precise identification of food product ingredients by examining unique chemical signatures, differentiating between fats, sugars, proteins, and water content, helping detect unreported components or substitutions.
Geographical Origin Verification	NMR analyzes chemical profiles associated with specific regions for products with protected geographical indications, ensuring product authenticity and protecting consumers from misleading labels.
Detecting Adulteration	NMR is highly effective in detecting adulteration in high-value products like spices, honey, and olive oil, revealing added substances, diluents, or contaminants, offering evidence of authenticity or fraud.
Assessing Quality	Beyond authenticity, NMR assesses food product quality, providing insights into freshness, ripeness, and detecting spoilage or contamination, contributing to product integrity along the supply chain.
Regulatory Compliance	Regulatory bodies increasingly use NMR for food labeling and safety regulations enforcement. NMR data offers clear evidence of compliance or violation, reducing the need for time-consuming and costly laboratory testing.

Market overview

According to an analysis conducted by Data Bridge Market Research, the global food authenticity testing market, which was valued at $8.34 billion in 2022, is anticipated to reach a total value of $16.59 billion by 2030, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% over the forecast period from 2023 to 2030.

Standards and regulations

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is increasingly being used for food authenticity testing, but there are no international standards or regulations specifically for this application. However, there are a number of national and regional standards and guidelines that provide guidance on the use of NMR for food analysis.

Some of the most relevant standards and guidelines include:

International Organization for Standardization (ISO):

ISO/IEC 17025:2017: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

European Commission:

Regulation (EC) No 853/2004: Laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003: On genetically modified food and feed

United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

FDA Guidance for Industry: Food Authenticity: Strategies, Tools, and Resources

FDA Guidance for Industry: Authenticity Testing of Honey

The FSSAI has issued an advisory on the use of NMR for the testing of honey authenticity. This advisory recommends the use of NMR methods that have been validated by the AOAC or other international organizations. The FSSAI also recommends that NMR data should be interpreted by experienced personnel and that the results of NMR tests should be reported in accordance with international guidelines.

Sampling analysis

Food authenticity testing using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a powerful technique to verify the composition and quality of food products. NMR spectroscopy can be applied to analyse the chemical composition of food items, including the identification and quantification of various components. Here is a general overview of how NMR can be used for food authenticity testing, along with some key considerations for sampling analysis:

Step	Description
1. Sample Collection	- Obtain representative samples from various sources.
	- Ensure an adequate sample size.
	- Properly preserve and store samples to prevent degradation.
2. Sample Preparation	- Homogenize samples for uniformity.
	- Extract compounds if necessary.
	- Dry samples to reduce interference (if applicable).
3. NMR Instrumentation	- Utilize a high-resolution NMR spectrometer.
	- Regularly calibrate the instrument for accuracy.
	- Choose the appropriate NMR probe (solid/liquid).
4. Data Acquisition	- Select the appropriate NMR experiments.
	- Process NMR data through Fourier transformation, baseline correction, and phasing.
	- Interpret NMR spectra to identify and quantify compounds.
	- Compare acquired data to reference spectra and databases.
	- Apply statistical analysis and multivariate methods for authenticity assessment.

Eurofins role Food authenticity testing by NMR

Eurofins Scientific is a leading international group of laboratories providing a wide range of testing and support services to various industries, including the food sector. In the context of food authenticity testing by NMR, Eurofins plays a significant role:

NMR Analysis Services:

Eurofins has a strong presence in the field of NMR spectroscopy for food analysis. They operate advanced NMR laboratories and have experienced scientists who specialize in NMR-based testing for food authenticity.

Testing and Certification:

Eurofins offers food authenticity testing services to verify the origin and composition of food products. They use NMR, among other techniques, to detect adulteration, identify the presence of contaminants, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Authentication and Quality Assurance:

Eurofins helps food producers and distributors ensure the authenticity and quality of their products. By employing NMR techniques, they can verify the geographical origin, identify any substitution or adulteration, and assess the overall quality of food items.

Risk Mitigation and Compliance:

Eurofins assists the food industry in complying with regulatory requirements. They provide the means to verify the authenticity and safety of food products, reducing the risk of legal and reputational issues related to fraud or adulteration.

Supply Chain Verification:

Eurofins supports supply chain verification by using NMR testing to trace the source and quality of food ingredients. This is particularly important for products that claim specific geographical or organic origins.

Customized Solutions:

Eurofins can develop and tailor testing solutions based on the specific needs of food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. They offer a range of services beyond standard NMR analysis, including genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic approaches.

Global Reach:

Eurofins operates an extensive network of laboratories across the globe, which means they can provide food authenticity testing services to a wide range of markets and regions, making it easier for businesses to access their services.

Research and Innovation:

Eurofins invests in research and innovation to advance NMR-based food authenticity testing. They stay updated on the latest techniques and methods for more accurate and efficient analysis.

US FDA LAAF Recognition

Eurofins Analytical Services India, based in Bangalore, has received recognition from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Laboratory Accreditation for Analyses of Foods (LAAF) program. This achievement makes Eurofins the first laboratory in Asia to receive this recognition. The LAAF program ensures the safety and quality of food in the United States by accrediting laboratories that perform testing of foods regulated by the FDA.

References

Kuballa, T., Brunner, T. S., Thongpanchang, T., Walch, S. G., & Lachenmeier, D. W. (2018). Application of NMR for authentication of honey, beer and spices. Current Opinion in Food Science, 19, 57-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2018.01.007
https://analyticalscience.wiley.com/content/article-do/food-authenticity-and-quality-screening