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This study (open access) used the fingerprint of trace elements (measured by inductively-coupled plasma – mass spectrometry, ICP-MS) as a marker for the use of mineral vs organic fertilisers, and hence as a marker for the mislabelling of Organic apple juice.  The concept was proven on juices made from apples grown in two regions of Northern Germany.

Reference data sets were generated from juices made by the researchers from apples of known provenance.  59 apple juice samples (31 organic and 28 conventional) from four crop years (2020–2023) were analyzed regarding their element profiles and used for model creation. All samples were from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Afterwards, the model was expanded using 24 apple juice samples (11 organic and 13 conventional) from Hamburg, Germany (crop year 2020–2023). Prior to analysis, the whole apple samples were washed with deionized water and then dried. Afterwards, the samples were processed to apple juice using a commercial juice extractor.

The authors report that, using an environment-friendly sample preparation strategy and a ratio-based evaluation approach in combination with a random forest classification model, it was possible to distinguish between the cultivation methods of processed apples.  The results were verified by analyzing samples from local supermarkets. Furthermore, the detection of adulterated mixtures of conventional juice to organic juice was studied using a regression analysis (5–50 % adulteration). Adulteration could reliably be detected from a proportion of 20 % Thus, falsification of the cultivation method can be detected even in mixtures.

The authors conclude that the study shows great potential towards sustainability, reducing sample preparation time, hazardous chemicals and energy consumption.  The identified molybdenum as a potential routine marker for organic apple juice.

The final report has been published from the German “DIGICHECK” project, which aims to strengthen and verify Organic traceability by utilising Internet-of-Things sensors and digital traceability systems.

The project aimed to achieve

1. The digital collection of real-time land, yield and certification data (from certifiers) and product transaction data (from companies of trading, processing, etc.) as well as the linking of this data as information for authorised users;
2. the calculation of mass balances along product chains calculated from land, income and transactions;
3. the use and linking of geographical information systems (GIS) and data collected by sensors to the certification data in order to provide control bodies with additional tools for their control activities, including independently of an on-the-spot visit;
4. the optimisation of control activities and quality assurance measures along the cereal product chain through the exchange of information between the operators involved;
5. clarifying which instruments and measures are permitted under the EU Organic Regulation and the German Organic Farming Act and could be implemented as required;
6. the evaluation of which tools can be usefully used by control authorities and which information should be made available in the event of fraud or monitoring;
7. the evaluation of the extent to which data can be evaluated for statistical purposes.

The Soil Association (the UK's leading organic certification body) has issued an alert about fraudulent certificates from two named companies.  The alert notification includes a list of links to certification bodies and official websites where you can cross-check the veracity of certificates, in EU, US, GB and a number of other countries

Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Work Programme 2021-2022 on Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment includes two proposed calls related to food authenticty:

• HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-04: Innovative solutions to prevent adulteration of food bearing quality labels: focus on organic food and geographical indications p199
• HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-11: Effective systems for authenticity and traceability in the food system p217

Further information can be found at: wp-9-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_horizon-2021-2022_en.pdf (europa.eu)

The commission are also hosting a number of information days that run until 16 July for those who might be interested in preparing a proposal. Homepage | Horizon Europe Info Days 2021 (horizon-europe-infodays2021.eu)

This site also contains a document library under each topic with useful information.

For UK specific information visit: https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support/horizon-2020-business-grants-uk

14 arrested in Spain and investigations underway in France.

The operation began in 2019, with various reports of ecological certifications being misused on pistachios that did not adhere to set agricultural standards. The Spanish Civil Guard detected a mix of organic and non-organic pistachio nuts that contained pesticides (including glyphosate and chlorate), illegal under requisites imposed by the Spanish agricultural sector. 

The investigation uncovered that the illegal pesticides were being used to better the quality and quantity of the harvests and increase the monetary value of the production. Marketed as organic the nuts were sold for up to 80% over the retail price of non-organic pistachios. The nuts from the main Spanish distributor were also being sold in France under false organic certifications. 

Read full article.

US Department of Agriculture has published a proposed rule, aiming to close the "gaps in the current regulations to build consistent certification practices to deter and detect organic fraud."

Part of the proposal will aim to reduce businesses exempted from organic certification. improving traceability with better recordkeeping, and standardizing inspections of organic operation sites.

Read more on the proposed rule in the Food Navigator story.