After extensive investment in new analytical instruments AGROLAB laboratory Dr. A. Verwey in Rotterdam proudly announced having obtained the “flexible” accreditation for pesticide residue analysis in food and feed matrices using state of the art LC MS/MS-technique.
The Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU C 482) of 23 December 2016 has published the European Parliament resolution, of 14 January 2014, about the food crisis, the fraud in the food chain and its control (2013/2091 (INI)). This European Parliament Resolution is a consequence of the institutional debate that generated the episode of the horse meat crisis in Europe.
Chia, Quinoa, Teff are capturing supermarket shelves and win average consumer’s favour. What looks like “novel” food for Europeans are grains eaten in South America and Africa for thousands of years.
Following a request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published on 9th November 2016 a scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of erucic acid in feed and food.
If you haven’t reviewed and adapted your food labels until now, you might run into trouble very soon. Although in fact it is too late, you should contact us asking for a conformity check, if you are uncertain and might have missed the important date.
After the latest revision of the Guideline “Residue monitoring” in fruit, vegetables and potatoes by the German QS Organisation the laboratories will have to fulfil stricter requirements than before. Besides the common multimethod the QS labs also have to proof their ability to check for Dithianon, Dodine, Fenbutatinoxid and phenoxyalkanoic acids.This was already part of the latest lab challenge organised in spring 2016.
We have successfully established and validated qRT-PCR test for virus detection in fruit and vegetables in our AGROLAB laboratory Dr.Blasy- Dr.Busse. The test can be ordered through all food laboratories within the AGROLAB GROUP.
AGROLAB LUFA has been carrying out the Hohenheim gas test at its own laboratory for some time. The parameter can be analysed in co-operation with the Christian Albrecht University in Kiel, which provides the rumen fluid required for the tests.
AGROLAB presents a new, cost-efficient analytical test procedure to determine the source and origin Vanillin in raw materials and final products, which is offered through our partner lab-IMPRINT Analytics.
Yes it happened again! Acc. to an actual test report by the German Consumer protection association “Stiftung Warentest” on olive oils showed an alerting presence of MOSH/MOAH even in oils from organic production. The aromatic fraction of the mineral oil contamination (MOAH) was reported in 6 out of 26 samples.
„Foodwatch“ activists requested the immediate withdrawal of the products from the market.
With the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/24, the Commission reinforced the conditions for the import of the following products:
- Groundnuts from Brazil (food and animal feed)
- Capsicum annuum and nutmeg (spices) from India
- Nutmeg from Indonesia (spices)
Contamination of vegetable oils/fats with mineral oil can have several causes, e.g. previous cargo of the ship’s tank or tank truck if not well cleaned, spillage of lubricating oil during transport of the oil seeds to the factory and during further processing.
Only a handful laboratories are allowed to analyse under the VERNOF conditions.
Dr. A. Verwey, Rotterdam, member of AGROLAB GROUP, has acquired the Vernof recognition since October 2015.
In October 2015 AGROLAB Dr. Verwey B.V., Rotterdam, member of AGROLAB GROUP, has again extended its scope of accredited analyses and product groups to match changing customer and market demands.
AGROLABGROUP started a co-operation with IGV Testlab in Potsdam getting access to their exclusive and innovative HPLC MS/MS multi allergen screening.
Ice cream is among the most popular and highly consumed products in the summertime. To ensure that it can be enjoyed to the full, there are a number of quality factors that have to be taken into consideration. The microbiological quality of the chilled delicacy depends not only on the level of hygiene during the production process but also on the cleanliness with which the sensitive product is handled by ice cafes and mobile ice cream stands, who never fail to attract young and old with their latest creations.
Dual success for AGROLAB laboratories!
The evaluation of the QS Fachgesellschaft Obst-Gemüse-Kartoffeln GmbH laboratory comparison test for accredited laboratories recognised by QS has just been published.
Due to a recent publication, a subject virtually forgotten has once again become topical: acrylamide in food.
The EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) has now summarised the test results obtained by the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) in a scientific opinion. The rather unsurprising conclusion is that heating foods under certain conditions can lead to the formation of acrylamide.
AGROLABGROUP Labor LUFA-ITL GmbH in Kiel was recognised by the Bundesverband Naturkost Naturwaren (BNN) e.V. (Association of Natural Food Retailers) for research into pesticide residues in cereals, cereal products, rice, oil seeds, oils and fats (Module B3).
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/595 has established the duties and priorities of the EU Member States regarding the routine inspection of foods for pesticides residues.
First the good news: 97% of all fruit and vegetable samples examined by the authorities of the European Member States in 2013 remained below the valid maximum residue quantities. In almost 55% of these samples, no pesticide residues at all were verified.