Authenticity of animal products (AUTDIER)

The goal of this project is to develop methods for verification of food products of animal origin (dairy products, meat products, animal fats). Authenticity research focuses on whether the origin, consistency and production methods of a food product match what is on the label of a product. Typically, offences are motivated by financial gain. Such abuses lead to distortion of competition and deceives the consumer. These infringements can take the form of dilution, use of a cheaper ingredient, incorrect indication of species or incorrect indication of geographical origin.

 

Every possible infringement on the authenticity of a product has to be investigated with a specific method. For that reason we have a wide range of chemical, enzymatic, biochemical, immunological, molecular and gene technological methods at our disposal. Offenders are very inventive when tampering with authenticity, thus our methods have to be continually actualized and fine-tuned. ILVO develops new methods in collaboration with other institutes.

Results of the research are published in international scientific magazines. The developed methods are validated and disseminated via national reference laboratories. Governmental authorities, producers, consumers and consumer organizations can appeal to ILVO’s expertise for authenticity research on raw materials as well as finished products. Such research is necessary to guarantee fair trade and competition. Moreover, a guarantee of authenticity is of great importance to maintain consumer confidence in the quality of available food products.