portable instruments (2)

A coordinated research project, run in cooperation with the FAO, brings together scientists from 13 countries to explore opportunities created by advances in field-deployable analytical equipment.  The development of high performance hand-held computing devices, such as smart phones, has enabled a new generation of instruments that can be used outside the traditional laboratory environment. Ion mobility spectrometry, a nuclear-based technology used by border police in the detection of illicit drugs and explosives, is one of such method that could be adapted to perform point-of-use screening tests to check for adulterants, contaminants and mould in food. Participating countries are Austria, Belgium, China, India, Malaysia, Morocco, Russian Federation, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, United Kingdom, Uganda and the United States. The project kicked off with a meeting in Vienna in May, and first results are expected within the next two years.

Read IEAE's Press Release at: IAEA Portable Instrument Project 

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Sylvain Charlebois (Food Institute, University of Guelph) discusses some of the fraud and counterfeit problems occurring in the Canadian Food Market, and the methodology that the University of Guelph and others may develop to control them.

Read the full article at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/counterfeit-products-threatening-the-food-industrys-delicate-balance/article29220689/

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