A new British and European standard, BS EN 18218-1:2026, Food authenticity – Non-targeted testing methods – Part 1: General considerations and definitions, has been published.
Non-targeted testing methods are increasingly used to assess food authenticity by generating a broader analytical “fingerprint” of a sample rather than looking only for predetermined markers. Approaches can include spectroscopy, NMR, mass spectrometry and DNA-based techniques.
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The new standard provides common terminology and general guidance for the development and validation of non-targeted methods for food and feed authentication. It covers key considerations such as reference datasets, statistical models and assessment of method performance.
Developed through CEN Technical Committee 460 (Food Authenticity), the standard should help support greater consistency and scientific robustness in the use of non-targeted methods by laboratories, researchers, regulators and the food industry.
BS EN 18218-1:2026 is available through BSI in the UK and through other national standards organisations across Europe.
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