NEOTRON SPA

An allergen is a substance usually harmless to most people, but in some individuals (those with allergies) it can produce allergic reactions of various kinds, sometimes even very serious.

Allergen typologies

Neotron is able to determine a high number of allergens according to Regulation (D.L. 8/2/2006, n.114) on different kinds of matrices.

Analytical techniques

The development of Molecular Biology in the last years has allowed the application of different analytical techniques aimed at detecting traces of allergens as well as of vegetable and animal varieties which contain them in food products. Among the more widespread there are certainly the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (E.L.I.S.A.) and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (P.C.R.) which have respectively proteins and DNA as target molecules. Neotron, through the combination of both methods, has developed an analytical procedure aimed at detecting as more as possible allergenic molecules.

Acknowledgements

Accreditation by Accredia (Italian Accreditation Body) according to UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
[Accreditation number: 0026, Certificate first emission: 14/11/1991]

Authorization to perform gluten analysis for the Italian Coeliac Agency

Authorization by F.A.C.E. [Federación de Asociaciones de Celiacos de España (FACE)] to perform gluten analysis.
(First emission: July 2006)

Authorization to perform analysis in compliance with the “Italian law” D.P.R. n. 131/98 (products destined to a particular feeding) issued by the Italian Ministry of Health.

The systematic involvement in Proficiency Test provides the external evidence about the test methods applied.
The full reports and the corresponding identification codes of Proficiency Test performed in the last year are available on this page for the downloading with a click on the code Ptest (in bold characters, see the following table).
Besides the matrix and the analytes analysed, the table shows also a synthesis of the obtained results in terms of z-score.

Legislative References

DIRECTIVE 2000/13/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs.

The materials in contact with food (FCM) are all materials and articles intended to come into contact with food products, including packaging materials, but also cutlery, plates, processing machines, containers, etc.

The term also includes materials and objects that are in contact with water intended for human consumption but do not cover fixed public or private water supply equipment.

Over the last 30 years, a large amount of food safety materials legislation has been introduced in the EU and the scenario may seem complicated.

Neotron with its tests and complete regulatory support can help you demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.

In EU the materials and articles in contact with food are regulated by:

Regulation (EC) n. 1935/2004 establishes the general requirements for all materials in contact with food
Legislation on specific materials concerning few materials and articles listed in the framework regulation
Directives on individual substances or groups of substances used in the manufacture of materials and objects intended for contact with food

But there is also national legislation in Europe for many important classes of materials in contact with food not covered by harmonized European legislation.

Analytical Services

• Migration tests
• Traction tests
• Sensory tests
• Permeability tests

Research activities and collaborations

The emerging problems in ensuring the safety of MMFs and the development of new materials (e.g. active & intelligent or recycled materials) make the search for suitable methods of analysis crucial. Also on this front, Neotron is committed to providing state-of-the-art services with the activity of the R & D department, also proposing itself as an active subject in research projects in both the academic and institutional fields.

Neotron, with its own experts, participates in the working groups of the Italian standardization body (UNI) which concern the development of analytical methods in the field of MMFs..

A living organism is called Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO), according to the National and Community law, when “the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur in nature through an intersection or natural recombination”.
This can be done through the use of genetic engineering techniques that allow the transfer of genes from one living being to another, even if of different species (transgenic).

Typologies

There are different types of GMO; the majority of which contain common sequences (eg 35S promoter and NOS terminator) used for the initial screening. Qualitative and quantitative analysis can also be performed using methods published JRC for many corn, soybeans, cotton, rice, rape, potatoes and sugar beet events.

Analytical Techniques

Analytical procedures validated specifically on the different analysed matrices and robotic systems designed to minimize the possibility of cross-contaminations guarantee the production of accurate and repeatable analytical data. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis are performed with PCR REAL-TIME technique by using oligonucleotides and fluorescent probes specific for each target.

Acknowledgments

Accreditation by Accredia (Italian Accreditation Body) according to UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
[Accreditation number: 0026, Certificate first emission: 14/11/1991]

Authorization to perform genomic analysis (finger print) on vegetable and fruit species- DD.MM. 14/4/97 and 9/8/2000 – Agricolture Department of the Emilia Romagna Region. Prot. n. OMP/05/14328 (09/05/ 2005)

‘Certificate of participation’ to the Project ‘Certification of a MON 810 Maize Reference Material for its DNA copy number ratio’.
IRMM [Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements]- European Commission – Directorate General – Joint Research Centre -Geel – Belgium -10/10/2008-

The systematic involvement in Proficiency Test provides the external evidence about the test methods applied.
The full reports and the corresponding identification codes of Proficiency Test performed in the last year are available on this page for the downloading with a click on the code Ptest (in bold characters, see the following table).
Besides the matrix and the analytes analysed, the table shows also a synthesis of the obtained results in terms of z-score..

Legislative References

Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed.

Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC.

Developments

A continuous updating of the analysed Targets (BAR, EPSPS, FMV promoter, etc.) ensures an ever more coverage in relation to GMO events in circulation.

Different mycotoxins can contaminate food or feed products and jeopardize their healthiness.
Their presence is connected to the growth of moulds which contaminate food product in different levels of the food chain and in uneven way.
Sampling procedures require therefore that the sample to be analysed is representative of the batch.
NEOTRON great experience in the field of analysis on food products is implemented in the validation of analytical procedures, specific for the different food matrices.

Mycotoxin typologies

The types of contaminating mycotoxins depend both on the matrix and on cultivation, processing and storage conditions.

Analytical techniques

Analytical procedures specifically validated on the different matrices and sample preparation protocols aiming at reducing variability of the analytical value, guarantee accurate and repeatable analytical data.
In particular, the sample is treated according to “Slurry” technique, which requires fine mixing of the product in order to make it perfectly homogeneous and the mycotoxin to be tested evenly distributed inside the sample.

Mycotoxins in babyfood

Since the maximum limits of mycotoxins in baby food are referred to the dry substance it is important to inform the laboratory about the nature of the sample communicating that it is a babyfood, in order to allow a correct execution of the analysis (adequate quantification limit) and a correct expression of the analytical result. In this case it will also be carried out the determination of the water content on the sample.

Mycotoxins in animal feeds

Since the maximum limits of mycotoxins in animal feeds are referred to 12% humidity it is important to inform the laboratory about the nature of the sample by communicating that it is animal food and it is suggested also to request the determination of the water content, in the order to have the elements that allow a correct evaluation of the result. It is also possible to request the results to be expressed referring to a humidity of 12%.

Acknowledgments

Accreditation by Accredia (Italian Accreditation Body) according to UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard [Accreditation number: 0026, Certificate first emission: 14/11/1991]

NEOTRON is a QS (Quality system – Germany) approved laboratory.

NEOTRON is a GAFTA – UK (Grain and Feed Trade Association), approved laboratory.

The systematic involvement in Proficiency Test provides the external evidence about the test methods applied.
The full reports and the corresponding identification codes of Proficiency Test performed in the last year are available on this page for the downloading with a click on the code Ptest (in bold characters, see the following table).
Besides the matrix and the analytes analysed, the table shows also a synthesis of the obtained results in terms of z-score.

Legislative References

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs

Developments

New substances produced by fungi were pointed out for their toxicological action and their presence inn food products. They are therefore considered as mycotoxins and pointed at as new health risk factors.

For the determination of some of these substances NEOTRON developed proper analytical techniques, which can be applied on the main matrices.

Diseases and parasites can seriously reduce the yield of agricultural crops and fruit and vegetables. In order to protect crops before and after the harvest, plant protection products containing pesticides are used. Normally these chemicals kill harmful insects, weeds and fungi. The risk to the health of the population correlated with the intake of plant protection products through food is a very timely and complex problem. The amount of residues found in food must be safe for consumers and be as low as possible. A maximum residue limit (MRL) is the highest level of a pesticide that is legally tolerated in food or feed. These limits are also valid for processed products considering dilution or concentration factors during processing operations.

Multimethod

Thanks to the Multimethod approach it is possible to determine the pesticides considered critical for each crop.

These critical issues were determined based on the positivities identified for each crop in the last 24 months, on the alerts and reports received from sector operators.

The multimethod proposal can be modulated on several levels of investigation; the first level is characterized by the molecules considered critical determinable with the QuEChERS approach. These molecules are added to those molecules co-determinable at no additional costs.

During the successive analytical levels, other groups and other molecules considered “critical” but not determinable with QuEChERS approach are added.

Each molecule within our multimethod proposals is determined in accordance with the applicable EU legislation, with a LOQ of 0.01mg / kg (or lower if required by the legislation – Ex: carbofuran) in the case of fresh products or 0.05mg / kg in the case of concentrated / dried products.

The determinations of Fosetyl Al and Dithiocarbamates as nonspecific determinations are excluded from the Multimethod proposal. If you are interested in these determinations, please request them separately.

In addition to multimethods on products of plant origin, specific multimethods were developed for products of animal origin following the same criterion.

Analysis of residues on Babyfood

In case of products in the field of application of the Directives 125/2006 and 142/2006 it is possible to request the specific integration to the analytical proposal. This extension determines the substances for which the maximum applicable limit is not 0.01mg / kg but 0.03mg / kg.

Analysis of residues on products for animal feed

The Reg 396/2005 does not define maximum limits for products elaborated specifically for feed use. In order to perform the analyzes required by current legislation, it is advisable to inform the laboratory of the  nature of the sample subjected of analysis, when requesting an offer. In fact, if it is a product that by its nature can be used for human or animal feed, it is necessary to apply the same profile used for products intended for human consumption.

Determination of Fosetyl Al in biological products

Waiting for a deeper definition of the approach by the control units in the field of organic production, Neotron suggests requesting the determination of Fosetyl Al with low limit technique (LOQ 0.01mg / kg for phosphonic acid).

Latest studies seem infact to show that phosphorous acid residues are not due to the presence of phosphites in foliar fertilizers, but to the use of phosphites (or, in some cases of Fosetyl Al) not listed in the product specifications, but which instead are authorized in organic farming.

This information was deepened during the 2018 seminar on Risk Assessment in the Food Supply Chain organized by Neotron.
 

Analytical Techniques

Single or multiresidue methods, employ the best and most advanced equipment in order to guarantee the highest reliability and low limits of quantification. 

• GC-ECD
• GC-NPD
• GC-PFPD
• GC-MS/MS
• ULPC
• LC-MS/MS
• LC-Q/TOF