Microplastics in food

UPLC-MS/MS analysis for determining the melatonin content in dietary supplements. According to Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, melatonin supplements may be marketed with the following health claims: "Melatonin contributes to the alleviation of subjective feelings of jet lag." The claim can be used if the product contains at least 0.5 mg of melatonin per portion., "Melatonin contributes to the reduction of time taken to fall asleep." The claim can be used if the product contains at least 1 mg of melatonin per portion..

Determination of starch in food with a spectrophotometric method.

Determination of vitamin B7 (biotin) in food with an HPLC-UV-VIS method, or in supplements with a UPLC-MS/MS method. According to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, the biotin content of food products may be included in the nutrition declaration if it is present in significant amounts. The daily reference intake for biotin is 50 µg, and biotin content can be declared if the product contains at least: 7.5 µg/100 g or 100 ml in products other than beverages (15% of reference intake), 3.75 µg/100 ml in beverages (7.5% of reference intake), 7.5 µg per portion if the package contains a single portion (15% of reference intake). Foods that contain at least the above amounts of biotin can be labeled with the nutrition claim "Source of biotin." Additional nutrition and health claims related to vitamin B7 can be applied in accordance with Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EU) No 432/2012.

Benzoic and sorbic acids can be used as preservatives in various foods. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 regulates the foods in which benzoic and sorbic acid can be used as additives and specifies the maximum levels allowed. This HPLC-UV method can be used to quantify amounts of benzoic and sorbic acids or corresponding sodium and potassium salts.

Determination of free or total carnitine in food with an HPLC-MS method based on AOAC 2015.10. Carnitine is an essential nutrient that plays a role in energy metabolism. Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 lists carnitine as a substance that can be added to products such as infant formula and baby foods. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 further mandates that carnitine content must be included in the nutrition declaration of infant formula.

Determination of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) with polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food products. The results are reported as the concentrations of groups of MOSH/POSH and MOAH, with grouping based on the number of carbon atoms in the substances. The concern with mineral oils in food is mainly focused on MOAH, which are possibly genotoxic carcinogens. In a 2022 summary report, the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF Committee) set the following maximum concentrations for the sum of MOAH: 0.5 mg/kg in dry foods with a low fat/oil content (≤ 4% fat/oil), 1 mg/kg in foods with a higher fat/oil content (> 4% fat/oil), 2 mg/kg in fats/oils. EU member states have agreed to withdraw and, if necessary, recall products from the market when MOAH levels exceed the above limits. Measurlabs is included in the European Reference Laboratory for Processing Contaminants (EURL-PC) list of laboratories capable of detecting MOAH at levels consistent with current regulatory limits. The list can be requested by sending an email to eurl-pc@food.dtu.dk with "GET MOAH LAB LIST" in the subject line.

Determination of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in food with an HPLC-MS/MS method, or in dietary supplements with a UPLC-MS/MS method. According to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, the daily reference intake for riboflavin is 1.4 mg. Riboflavin content may be included in the nutrition declaration if it is present in food products in at least the following amounts: 210 µg/100 g or 100 ml in products other than beverages (15% of reference intake), 105 µg/100 ml in beverages (7.5% of reference intake), 210 µg per portion if the package contains a single portion (15% of reference intake). Foods and beverages that contain at least the above amounts of riboflavin can be labeled with the nutrition claim "Source of riboflavin." Some of the health claims applicable to such products include the following: "Riboflavin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism", "Riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin", "Riboflavin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system", "Riboflavin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue".

Determination of vitamin B3 as niacin, nicotinic acid, and nicotinamide in food or supplements with a high-performance liquid chromatography method. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers states that niacin may be included in the nutrition declaration for food products if it is present in significant amounts. Considering the daily reference intake (DRI) of 16 mg, niacin content may be declared in at least the following concentrations: 2.4 mg/100 g or 100 ml in products other than beverages (15% of DRI), 1.2 mg/100 ml in beverages (7.5% of DRI), 2.4 mg per portion if the package contains a single portion (15% of DRI). The nutrition label "Source of niacin" can be applied to products that contain the vitamin in at least the above amounts. Permitted health claims applicable to products that are sources of niacin include: Niacin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism., Niacin contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system., Niacin contributes to normal psychological function., Niacin contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue..

Determination of Be, Ba, Co, Al, Mg, Cu, Li, Mn, Ag, Sn, Ti, V, Zn, Tl, B, Hg, Mo, Fe, Ca, K, U, P, Cd, Na, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb, As, and Se in water samples with ICP-MS-technique. The sample is homogenized and acidified (HNO3), after which the analysis is performed from the liquid phase. The displayed price applies to natural waters. (for example, river or lake water) If the sample contains a lot of solids or the matrix is significantly different from natural water (for example, wastewater and industrial waters), different analysis methods need to be used. The concentration of each element is reported in µg/l.