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The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) has equipped its laboratory in Brno with a unique instrument for detecting adulterated food. The SNIF-NMR and IRMS instrument (Site-specific Natural Isotope Fractionation Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectroscopy) allows monitoring of the distribution of isotopes at different places in molecules contained in foodstuffs using nuclear magnetic resonance method. This method will allow detection of adulteration of wine, juices, honey, and other food products and to establish the origin, for example, of aromatic substances, spirits, vinegar marinades, or sauces.

Food is adulterated mainly by being passed off as something different then it really is. If, for example, a product is called “cacao”, then it must be made exclusively from cacao powder. If it is proved that it contains any other ingredients, it means adulteration and deception of consumers who rightly believe that they buy real cacao. The CAFIA has already dealt with a number of such cases and still deals with them. Only in 2005 CAFIA initiated 456 administrative proceedings because of consumer deception and imposed fines amounting to more than CZK 15 million. The new instrument will allow CAFIA to significantly extend the range of foodstuffs where the adulteration can be detected only with difficulties or not at all.

Although that food safety is still a priority of the European Commission as well as of CAFIA, detection of adulterated food is becoming another closely watched area of food safety. Only a minimum percentage of unsafe foodstuffs have reached consumers in last years. On the other hand, pursuit of profit by certain food producers at the expense of quality becomes more evident and their methods more well-developed.

The Inspection Authority bought the instrument for CZK 46 million by the end of last year and now it is being tested. It should come into full operation in the second half of this year when CAFIA intends to firstly examine wines.

Examples of detected food adulteration can be found at www.szpi.gov.cz in the Press Release section.

Photo (J. Jiřička): A unique SNIF-NMR and IRMS instruments are located in the Brno laboratory of the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority. For now, it is being tested; it should be put into full operation in the second half of the year.