Analytical detection methods and strategies for food fraud

Abstract

Abstract An analytical strategy is a key element in a Food Fraud Mitigation Plan and should be designed to reduce the risk of food fraud by putting in place optimal analytical solutions. The most cost-effective strategy follows a stepwise approach starting from simple tests before moving on to more sophisticated analyses. Different analytical techniques are available for the detection of food fraud, and selecting the right one will depend on the product and the type of fraud. The most commonly used techniques are so-called targeted methods that are directly linked to specific authenticity markers. There is currently a move toward nontargeted methods, where an overall fingerprint of a food sample is used to detect food fraud with the added advantage of being able to detect unknown or unexpected risk. This new approach brings with it added challenges, such as the need to establish a representative reference database and the lack of guidelines for validating the methods.