Analysing dioxins in animal feed
In response to the recent discovery of dangerous levels of dioxins in animal feed produced in Germany, Phenomenex has announced its publication of a method for analysing the chemicals using high-resolution gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection.
In response to the recent discovery of dangerous levels of dioxins in animal feed produced in Germany, Phenomenex has announced its publication of a method for analysing the chemicals using high-resolution gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (HRGC–MS).
Dioxins enter the environment and subsequently the food chain through combustion of organic materials in waste incineration. Recently, fat incorporated into feed products in Germany were found to be highly contaminated, and were reported to threaten a chain-reaction through the food supply. As a result several countries banned imports of animal products from Germany as a precautionary measure.
“While dioxin contamination is generally on the decline due to aggressive regulatory action, we can still see accidents, such as the one in Germany,” explains Sky Countryman, manager of applications and applied technology for the company. “Robust analytical testing procedures are still in demand for the determination of potential dioxin threats in both feed and animal fat.”
The method, developed in collaboration with Vista Analytical, also analyses dioxin-like compounds dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are often monitored in conjunction with dioxins to give an overall toxic equivalent (TEQ) for a sample. The method has also been used to analyse non-organic chicken feed as well as fish from the Mississippi River and Great Lakes and shrimp from a variety of international sources.
The technical note on the HRGC–MS method can be accessed at www.phenomenex.com/dioxin.
Analytical Challenges in Measuring Migration from Food Contact Materials
November 2nd 2015Food contact materials contain low molecular weight additives and processing aids which can migrate into foods leading to trace levels of contamination. Food safety is ensured through regulations, comprising compositional controls and migration limits, which present a significant analytical challenge to the food industry to ensure compliance and demonstrate due diligence. Of the various analytical approaches, LC-MS/MS has proved to be an essential tool in monitoring migration of target compounds into foods, and more sophisticated approaches such as LC-high resolution MS (Orbitrap) are being increasingly used for untargeted analysis to monitor non-intentionally added substances. This podcast will provide an overview to this area, illustrated with various applications showing current approaches being employed.
RAFA 2024 Highlights: Cutting-Edge Chromatography Techniques for Food Safety and Food Analysis
November 18th 2024An illuminating session focusing on progress in analytical techniques used in food analysis took place on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at RAFA 2024 in Prague, The Czech Republic, including a talk on the analysis of 1000 toxins in 10 minutes.
RAFA 2024 Highlights: Contemporary Food Contamination Analysis Using Chromatography
November 18th 2024A series of lectures focusing on emerging analytical techniques used to analyse food contamination took place on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at RAFA 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic. The session included new approaches for analysing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated alkanes (PCAS), Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH), and short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs).
Pharmaceutical excipients, such as polyethylene glycol-based polymers, must be tested for the presence of ethylene oxide (EtO) and 1,4-dioxane as part of a safety assessment, according to USP Chapter <228>.
