Using GC-MS Workflow Solutions for Complete Analysis of POPs in Food from Trace Level Screening to Confirmatory Analyses
This article describes the current requirements for the analysis of POPs and the measures taken to improve workflows, enabling high throughput and low complexity screening using GC-MS-MS.
The topic of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is one which is treated with increasing concern. POPs are chemical substances that are found in the environment and persist many years after formation. These chemicals bio-accumulate in fatty tissues and bio-magnify up the food chain potentially contaminating food consumed by humans. Due to this potential toxic contamination, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) called for global action to be taken on POPs, leading to the international environmental treaty of the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants. This restricts the use of the most dangerous environmental contaminants; in 2010 the list of compounds was updated to include chlordecone, lindane and beta hexachlorocyclohexane. In addition, organizations are encouraged to regularly monitor the levels of POPs to eliminate potential pollution. This article describes the current requirements for the analysis of POPs and the measures taken to improve workflows, enabling high throughput and low complexity screening using GC–MS–MS.
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.
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.
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>.
