fera (2)

13416512463?profile=RESIZE_400xFSA-funded project: Review of current and emerging analytical methods for the testing of oil for authenticity (Project FS900520)

With funding from the UK Food Standards Agency, Fera Science Limited (Fera) in York, UK is currently undertaking a project to review the current and emerging analytical methods for testing edible oils and support the further development of analytical methods which will underpin and uphold the authenticity of edible oils in the supply chain. 

As part of the project’s evidence gathering, Fera would like to invite parties involved in sourcing, processing, and/or testing edible oils to participate in an online questionnaire. 

The fundamental mission of the FSA is food you can trust. The FSA strategy sets out FSA’s vision to ensure that the UK food system is safe, and that food is what it says it is. This involves building scientific capability in Public Analyst (PA) Official Laboratories (OLs) and working with Defra’s food authenticity programme to conduct research and development for analytical methods. Suitable analytical methods are required to ensure that food is what it says it is and to manage risk around food authenticity.

 As key stakeholders, your insight will help to inform FSA regarding issues in oil authenticity and future-proofed analytical tools to support both industry and regulators, while maintaining consumer confidence in our food. 

 Your participation will be very much appreciated and your views and insight will be invaluable to the project aims.

 A summary of key findings from the questionnaire will be included in the final report, but no sensitive information will be published.

Please complete the questionnaire here. If you have any questions, please contact info@fera.co.uk.

Your kind participation will be very much appreciated and your views and insight will be invaluable to the project aims.

Photo by Stephanie Sarlos on Unsplash

 

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12633554080?profile=RESIZE_180x180Meat species identification has always been a challenge in highly processed foods, such as gelatines and stocks.

One approach is to measure proteins and protein patterns using mass spectrometry (MS).  A previous research project, under the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Food Authenticity Programme, developed and in-house validated a method using proteomics.

That work has now been built upon by another 3 Defra projects to streamline the method to look for specific markers, in a format that can be used routinely by testing laboratories, and to fully validate the routine method including by interlaboratory trial.

All four research reports are now signposted on FAN’s Research pages.  Scroll through the table to find the appropriate report reference number:

  • FA0166 – the original 2019 project – “Development, optimisation and validation of a non-targeted proteomics method for meat species identification”
  • FA0165 – “Liquid chromatography targeted mass spectrometry method to determine the animal origin of gelatine - transfer to a high throughput, low cost platform with single lab evaluation”
  • FA0177 – “Gelatine species determination, completion of method validation and determination of a quantitative method”
  • FA0187 – “Interlaboratory trial of a mass spectrometry method for meat species determination”
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