FOOD AND AGRIBUSINESS

Stable isotopes can be used to identify the origin and authenticity of food products such as cheese, honey, meat but also oil, vinegar and wine. The isotope ratio depends on location, soil and plant or animal type from where the products originate. Possible applications include: product traceability, identification of artificial additives, labelling and biological features, uncovering food fraud and falsification in general.

The range of stable isotope analysis offered at Isotope Tracer Technologies Europe (IT²E) has many applications for food testing and adulteration. Stable isotope analysis provides a tool for testing the quality, authenticity, origin, and composition of the foods we consume.  These applications are widespread and can include:

• determination of the environmental conditions under which the plants used in our food and beverages are grown;
• determination of the specific region from which an ingredient was taken;
• the methods from which our food and beverages are produced.

These applications provide both consumers and suppliers with a tool to verify a foods authenticity, while offering protection from fraudulent labeling or packaging claims.