Chlorates and Perchlorates Testing in Food

Chlorates and perchlorates are chemical compounds that can be present in food due to environmental contamination or agricultural practices. These substances may enter food through the use of contaminated water, pesticides, or fertilizers. Chlorates and perchlorates pose potential health risks, particularly when consumed in high concentrations, as they can disrupt thyroid function and cause developmental problems. Hence, it is crucial to monitor their presence in food products to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

Eurofins offers comprehensive testing services for chlorates and perchlorates in food to detect and quantify these substances, ensuring food safety, quality, and compliance with national and international regulations.

Testing Services

Quality & Safety Testing

Eurofins offers advanced testing for chlorates and perchlorates to ensure the safety and quality of food products by identifying the presence and concentration of these harmful substances.

Key Testing Parameters

• Chlorate Content: Ensures that chlorate residues in food are within acceptable limits, as high levels can disrupt thyroid function.
• Perchlorate Content: Determines the concentration of perchlorates, which are known to affect thyroid hormone production and may lead to health problems.

Detection of Co-contaminants (Other Chemicals)

Testing for chlorates and perchlorates often involves checking for related contaminants that may coexist, such as other pesticides or fertilizers. This comprehensive approach ensures that the food is free from multiple harmful substances.

Degradation Products Analysis

Chlorates and perchlorates may degrade over time into different by-products, some of which may have different toxicological effects. This testing identifies any degradation products to ensure that the food does not contain new, potentially harmful substances after processing or storage.

Residue Stability Over Time (Shelf-life Testing)

Testing the stability of chlorates and perchlorates throughout the product’s shelf life is critical to ensure that these substances do not accumulate or degrade into harmful products during storage.

Agricultural Source Verification (Water and Soil Testing)

Since chlorates and perchlorates often originate from irrigation water or contaminated soil, testing these sources can help identify the point of contamination. By preventing the introduction of these chemicals into the food supply, businesses can ensure safer food production.

Regulatory Compliance and Threshold Limits for Specific Food Categories

Different types of food may have varying regulatory limits for chlorates and perchlorates. Testing ensures that the levels of these chemicals are within the permissible limits for each specific food category, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and processed foods.

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) Evaluation

The TTC method helps determine the acceptable levels of chlorates and perchlorates in food, based on scientific data and potential health risks. This approach helps businesses evaluate whether trace contaminants pose a health concern.

Metabolic Profiling (Toxicity Studies)

Toxicity studies evaluate how chlorates and perchlorates are metabolized in the human body to assess the long-term risks associated with regular exposure through food consumption.

Food Processing Impact Studies

Chlorates and perchlorates may be affected by food processing techniques, such as washing, blanching, or heating. Testing ensures that food products retain minimal levels of these chemicals after processing, and helps businesses develop methods to reduce their presence in finished products.

Labelling and Product Traceability

If chlorates or perchlorates are detected in food products above permissible limits, Eurofins ensures compliance with labelling regulations, helping businesses maintain transparency and provide consumers with accurate information regarding the chemical content of food products.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Testing for chlorates and perchlorates in food also includes environmental monitoring to ensure that food production practices do not contribute to the contamination of soil, water, or air. This ensures that food production is aligned with sustainable and responsible practices.

Regulatory Compliance & Standards

The FSSAI has specified MRLs for chlorates in various food categories, which can be found in their official documents. For instance, the MRL for chlorate in fruits and vegetables is generally set at 0.01 mg/kg.

Chlorate: COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2020/749 of 4 June 2020 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for chlorate in or on certain products

Perchlorate: COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food

Advanced Analytical Techniques

Eurofins utilizes state-of-the-art analytical techniques to provide accurate and reliable testing results for chlorates and perchlorates in food products:

• Chromatography & Mass Spectrometry: These techniques are used to detect trace levels of chlorates, perchlorates, and other chemical residues in food products, providing precise measurements of contamination levels.
• Spectroscopy & Elemental Analysis: These methods analyze the nutrient composition and detect heavy metals or other harmful substances, ensuring both nutritional quality and safety of the food product.

Consultation & Support

In addition to testing services, Eurofins offers consultation and support to businesses to help them achieve:

• Regulatory Compliance: Eurofins assists businesses in understanding and complying with food safety regulations regarding chlorates and perchlorates.
• Improved Risk Management: With expertise in food safety, Eurofins helps businesses mitigate risks associated with chlorate and perchlorate contamination.
• Optimized Manufacturing Processes: Eurofins offers guidance on enhancing food production processes to minimize chemical contamination and maintain high product quality.

Global Testing Network

Eurofins operates a global network of laboratories, providing consistent and reliable testing services across multiple regions. This global presence ensures that food manufacturers, especially those involved in international trade, can comply with regulatory standards, and achieve product quality assurance for various markets.