Isotope Fingerprinting as a Backup for Modern Safety and Traceability Systems in the Animal-Derived Food Chain

Abstract

In recent years, due to the globalization of food trade and certified agro-food products, the authenticity and traceability of food have received increasing attention. As a result, opportunities for fraudulent practices arise, highlighting the need to protect consumers from economic and health damages. In this regard, specific analytical techniques have been optimized and implemented to support the integrity of the food chain, such as those targeting different isotopes and their ratios. This review article explores the scientific progress of the last decade in the study of the isotopic identity card of food of animal origin, provides the reader with an overview of its application, and focuses on whether the combination of isotopes with other markers increases confidence and robustness in food authenticity testing. To this purpose, a total of 135 studies analyzing fish and seafood, meat, eggs, milk, and dairy products, and aiming to examine the relation between isotopic ratios and the geographical provenance, feeding regime, production method, and seasonality were reviewed. Current trends and major research achievements in the field were discussed and commented on in detail, pointing out advantages and drawbacks typically associated with this analytical approach and arguing future improvements and changes that need to be made to recognize it as a standard and validated method for fraud mitigation and safety control in the sector of food of animal origin.

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of clinical and biological materials, foods and beverages

“…Another two papers 23,24 explored the analytical tools available to assess authenticity and origin of food products (Section 8.2.8).…”

“…In another review, Varrà et al 24 looked at isotope fingerprinting as a modern tool in traceability and food safety in the animal-derived food chain . The review covered 135 studies looking at isotopic ratio as a measurement of authenticity in fish and seafood, meat, eggs, milk, and dairy products.…”

Innovative Tools for Nitrogen Fertilization Traceability in Organic Farming Products: A Cauliflower Case Study

“…2018/848) that is currently in place [7] only requires documentary evidence of the organic management applied to a product; no official analytical method is recognized or employed as means to support the eradication of food fraud in this specific sector. In an effort to give an answer to these specific needs, several research studies, over almost the last two decades, have focused on the discrimination of organic vs. conventional foods [8][9][10][11], including fruit [12][13][14][15], vegetable [16][17][18][19][20][21], meat [22][23][24], dairy [25][26][27], and seafood [28] products. The nitrogen fertilization traceability in organic products still remains a matter of great relevance and interest, since synthetic mineral fertilizers are not allowed in organic cultivation, and the need to identify their fraudulent use is pressing.…”