Analytical food challenges and experiences from the European Union Reference Laboratory for Processing Contaminants

Controlling the presence of processing contaminants formed during the preparation and processing of foods is a key parameter for the industry to produce food products of high quality. For the determination of these processing contaminants from an official control perspective, reliable and high-quality analytical methods are necessary, and the European Union Reference Laboratory for Processing Contaminants (EURL-PC) support the European National Reference Laboratories throughout Europe with approaches for the analytical determination. The EURL-PC thereby contribute to improvement and harmonisation of methods and ensure analytical quality in the EU community. Furthermore, we contribute to dissemination of relevant knowledge and provides scientific advice to the laboratories and the EU Commission.

Developing and performing proficiency tests is a central element used to develop and document the analytical performance by the laboratories, furthermore we strengthen the competences in the laboratories through education and training.

The EURL-PC is hosted by the National Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark. Our intention is to develop and apply reliable, robust, and detailed chemical analysis of relevant compounds in foods. By challenging state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and sample preparation, we strive to:

-Develop cost-efficient, robust and scalable methods for food monitoring and control

-Provide scientific advice and prepared contingency

-Co-develop new analytical technologies and strategies for emerging risk
The EURL-PC supports the European network with analytical methods to determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters to be used for compliance testing of foods. Furthermore, the EURL-PC has established analytical methods for the determination of furan and alkylated furan in foods and for acrylamide where the focus has been on recommendation for troublesome matrixes. More recently mineral oil contamination of foods has been added to the tasks where the MOSH and MOAH determination in foods are in focus.