Food and feed analyses
About this service
In short- Food and feed analyses
- Monitoring programmes
- Specialised knowledge
- Detection and identification of (new) hazardous substances and pathogens
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) analyses food and feed for the presence of substances that may have a negative impact on human, animal or environmental health. We do this on behalf of Dutch and international governments. For companies, we only perform export analyses or analyses with a demonstrable social interest. We do not work for private individuals.
Besides monitoring for the Dutch government, we also carry out extensive monitoring programmes for international governments. If you are a national or international government with an analytical question, chemical or microbiological, please contact us.
We have specialised knowledge and infrastructure for (forensic) detection and identification of (new) hazardous substances and pathogens. Besides advanced specific chemical analysis methods, classical microbiological and molecular-based methods, we use bioassays to detect the presence of bioactive or toxic components in food and feed.
Which substances do we measure and detect in food and feed?
WUR has extensive expertise in analyzing pesticides in food, feed, and crop samples. We analyze samples for pesticide residues as part of official EU and national control and monitoring programs.
Contaminants are chemical substances that unintentionally end up in food. WUR examines the food chain for environmental contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, dioxins, PFAS, PAHs), process contaminants (e.g., MOAH, acrylamide), and radioactive substances.
Results of analysis of agricultural products of animal origin
On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Safety and Nature (LVVN), Wageningen Food Safety Research analyses samples of agricultural products of animal origin for dioxins, PCBs, brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The matrices are: meat, milk, eggs and fish. The results from recent years can be found on this website: ResearchData
WUR searches for prohibited growth promoters and animal treatment products, and detects residues of animal and human medicines.
WUR is an expert in detecting natural toxins in food and feed. These substances are harmful organic compounds of natural origin. We analyze phytotoxins (toxins produced by plants), mycotoxins (toxins produced by fungi), and phycotoxins (toxins produced by algae).
WUR tests products for the presence of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, such as Salmonella or Campylobacter in chicken, and norovirus in oysters and raspberries. We also analyze our food for the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
WUR analyzes allergens using various complementary techniques: antibody, DNA, or protein detection. Because multiple allergens can be present in a single product, methods are also used that can measure multiple allergens simultaneously.
WUR investigates the presence of GMOs in the supply chain and detects (un)approved GMOs in food and animal feed products.
Many potentially toxic substances are known and can be detected with the appropriate analytical methods. However, WUR also has the facilities and expertise to detect unknown/new toxic substances. We do this, among other things, with biosensors that allow us to determine the presence of an unknown substance.
The source of food contamination isn't always known. However, to prevent further spread of contamination, it's important to identify the source quickly. WUR uses chemical-analytical and molecular methods to generate contaminant profiles. These profiles can be used to trace contamination back to its source.
Get in touch
Please contact us if you would like to discuss whether your request falls within our scope of services.
