LGC named Centre of Expertise in Food Authenticity Network
LGC is also coordinator of the network set up by DEFRA in response to the review by Professor Chris Elliott.
Its aim is to raise awareness of the tools available to check for mislabelling and fraud and ensure the UK has access to a resilient laboratory network able to provide fit for purpose testing for authenticity to enhance consumer confidence.
Selvarani Elahi, UK deputy Government Chemist, said: “LGC played an important role during the 2013 horse meat issue in providing sound scientific advice and by undertaking research, supported by newly developed reference samples for meat speciation, in a robust and timely manner to answer the challenging questions that emerged.
“We were able to do this because of our extensive experience in providing fit for purpose measurement solutions across the whole range of food authenticity testing scenarios for an international audience.”
Last financial year LGC had over 240 collaborations with more than 120 organisations for measurement work.
Analytical areas include genomics (all forms of PCR); Mass spectrometry; Spectroscopy; Microscopy; Immunoassay including ELISA and Western Blotting; Proteomics and Metabolomics.
Chemical analysis includes stable isotope ratio and trace element analysis; and multi and hyperspectral imaging; digital PCR; multi-parallel next generation sequencing and nanotechnology.
Dr Malcolm Burns, principal scientist and special adviser to the Government Chemist, is the technical contact for LGC’s Centre of Expertise.
LGC joins Eurofins Food Testing UK, Campden BRI, Fera Science, Institute of Food Research, Leatherhead Food Research, Premier Analytical Services, RSSL and West Yorkshire Analytical services under the ‘general proficiency’ tab of the network.
