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Food analysis at analytica: news and trends for your laboratory

analytica invites you to look into the future of the food laboratory. From April 9 to 12, 2024, you will experience the entire spectrum of food analysis in Munich - from sampling and analysis to data storage. Plus, you will learn how digitalization and artificial intelligence are optimizing workflows in the lab and making food analysis more efficient.

Focus on food fraud: Expose adulterated food

Food laboratories detect harmful substances in our food, uncover food fraud and identify banned additives. Using powerful analytical methods and state-of-the-art lab technology, they guarantee food safety. Globalization and regulation constantly throw up new challenges. analytica brings you up to date. At the world's leading trade fair in Munich, international exhibitors and scientists from all over the world will be presenting their innovations in food analysis. Take part in the dialog about trends in the food industry.

Analyzing germs, pesticides, heavy metals and other contaminants is still one of the main tasks of a food laboratory. But in times of rising prices and supply chain problems, the risk of food fraud is also rising, making analysis of origin and detecting banned ingredients increasingly important in the food laboratory. Using state-of-the-art methods, food inspectors detect unauthorized additives and false declarations.

As food spoils faster due to climate change, never has the need been greater for powerful methods for detecting harmful microorganisms and molds. New contaminants ranging from nano- and microplastics to PFAS also pose challenges for food laboratories, because of the widespread lack of standardized procedures and analytical methods. Added to this is the need for quality assurance and control of novel food, such as algae or insects. Vegan nutrition, a growth market, also requires chemical analysis methods as well as microbiological and sensory tests. The demands on food analysis are enormous and all the players involved must maintain regular dialog. At analytica and the accompanying analytica conference, you will learn how modern food analysis ensures a healthy sustainable diet for the future, uncovers food scandals and thus guarantees food safety.

Food analysis - the top topics at analytica

At analytica, food analysts will find a solution for every challenge - for targeted control as well as for non-target analysis. Look forward to exploring these top topics:

  • Digitalization and AI in the food lab of tomorrow
  • Food safety: food analysis is consumer protection
  • Healthy nutrition: food analyses of novel food and more
  • Authenticity and food fraud: how food labs detect fraud


In addition, at analytica you will experience the entire spectrum of instrument developments, sample preparation procedures and analytical methods for the modern laboratory. Market leaders and innovative newcomers from all over the world will be presenting their solutions in Munich, ranging from sampling to food analysis on site or in the laboratory to data evaluation. Discover more about these topics at analytica:

  • Food analysis in the laboratory - Rapid tests - Food monitoring - Food chemistry - Food technology - Food hygiene - Drinking water analysis
  • sampling - sample preparation - instrumental analysis - non-target methods
  • Bioanalysis - Molecular biological methods - DNA fingerprinting - Microbiological test methods
  • Digitalization and Lab 4.0 - Artificial intelligence
  • Food safety - Quality assurance - Quality control
  • Molds and mycotoxins - Salmonella and other germs
  • Pollutants - Pesticides - Nanoplastics and microplastics - PFAS
  • Healthy nutrition - Novel food - Probiotics - Dietary supplements - Minerals and vitamins - Additives
  • Food fraud - Food authenticity - Analysis of origin - Prohibited additives
  • Consumer goods -  Cosmetic products -  Pharmaceutical chemistry
  • Food packaging - Substance migration - Risk assessment

Digitalization and AI in the food lab of tomorrow

Digitalization is increasingly making its way into the food laboratory. Rapid advances in information technology make for greater efficiency in general in the laboratory. Food inspectors in particular benefit from this, as they often have to deliver results quickly, meaning there's no time to waste. Thanks to digitalization and automation, food analysis laboratories can test more samples in less time while increasing the quality of their analytical results.

Robots and semi-automated systems are already taking a lot of work away from laboratory staff. Now, artificial intelligence is set to make the processes even more efficient. In the future AI could, for example, detect the microbiological quality of food and identify spoiled products. AI is also helpful in non-target analysis, as it can search databases worldwide for spectra and structures to decipher unknown substances.

At analytica, exhibitors from all over the world will showcase digital tools for the laboratory and analysis of tomorrow. analytica's extensive supporting program with special events on digitalization also invites visitors to take a look at the laboratory of the future.

Talk to the industry leaders in food analysis

Renowned exhibitors from all over the world present their innovations and services for food analysis laboratories at analytica in Munich. At analytica 2022, for example, these were:

You can find all the leading manufacturers and startups focusing on food analysis which participate in analytica 2024 in our exibition directory.

Food safety: food analysis is consumer protection

Herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are applied in conventional agriculture to increase yields. Glyphosate is one of the most controversial pesticides. The discussion about its carcinogenic effects and hazards for the environment has triggered increased demand for effective detection methods for glyphosate. Glyphosate analysis is of particular importance in the production and testing of organic food and baby food.

analytica is a mine of information on the entire value chain of pesticide analysis, from sampling and sample preparation and investigations using chromatography and mass spectrometry, to methods for automated evaluation. At analytica, learn how state-of-the-art analytical methods detect hundreds of pesticides simultaneously and deliver reliable results in the routine laboratory. In the analysis of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), a comprehensive ban on which is currently being discussed in the EU, the trend is also toward methods that detect numerous substances simultaneously.

Molecular biology methods such as DNA fingerprinting play a key role in the detection of food fraud and the identification of molds, salmonella and other germs. Microplastics in food, on the other hand, are best detected using a combination of imaging and spectroscopy, relying on methods such as Raman spectroscopy. analytica showcases the entire spectrum of methods for the modern food laboratory. Find out about the current situation and trends in food analysis at the world's leading trade fair. Exchange ideas with scientists, equipment manufacturers as well as users and get inspiration for your daily work in the food laboratory.

Healthy nutrition: food analyses of novel food and more

One of the tasks of food chemistry and food analysis is to develop and analyze functional foods with health-promoting effects. This also includes the wide field of pre-, pro- and synbiotics as well as food supplements and their active ingredients. In addition to the classical methods of food analysis, Omics technologies and non-target methods such as high-resolution mass spectrometry are used to investigate such additives and foods. This even makes it possible to decipher those chemical reactions that take place in the food itself, such as during storage or preparation, as well as in our bodies. Find out more at analytica about these high-tech methods for analyzing food samples, which produce a high-resolution image with maximum information content and thus contribute to our health.

The investigation of vegan foods and novel foods will also be addressed at analytica. Whether it's insect products, algae or meat from the lab, find out at analytica how nutrients, contaminants, protein compositions and allergens can be identified quickly and easily.

Authenticity and food fraud: how food labs detect fraud

Information on foodstuffs regarding ingredients and origin must be reliable. Adulterating foods is not only criminal, it also endangers the health of allergy sufferers and people who rely on bland foods or diets. Unfortunately, official monitoring shows how widespread false declarations are. Food fraud is therefore coming more and more to the fore at analytica.

At the world's leading trade show, you will learn how modern food analysis identifies diluted wines and oils and other food adulterants. Whether it's horsemeat in lasagna or cheap sugar in honey: with the right analytical tools, false claims and unauthorized additives can be detected and food fraud uncovered. Learn about highly effective methods for food authentication and ingredient identification at analytica.

analytica: the meeting place for food analysis

analytica is the world's leading marketplace for products and services along the entire value chain of modern laboratory processes, both in the food industry and in official food control. Three reasons why you should definitely be there when the industry meets in Munich:

  • analytica informs you about innovations and trends in the laboratory. As the foremost industry event, analytica brings together the complete range of topics for laboratories in industry, research and authorities - from analysis to laboratory technology and biotechnology. Find out about all the latest innovations in food analysis in one-to-one chats, and at talks and live demonstrations. Over 900 exhibitors will be presenting their highlights. Benefit from industry expertise gathered in one place.
  • analytica brings you into conversation with key players, decision-makers and leading Industry researchers. Over the three days of the analytica conference, for instance, renowned scientists from all over the world will be presenting the latest developments in food analysis. Make a note today of the analytica conference sessions on food safety, foodomics and other trends in food analysis. Be inspired and network sustainably with industry players.
  • The practice-oriented supporting program at analytica gives you practical tips for your daily laboratory work and brings you up to date. Best practice examples and direct dialog are the focus of the analytica forums. Whether pesticide analysis, detection of mold toxins or microplastics: at analytica, you will experience new methods of food analysis live and first hand. Get inspiration for your daily business and stay on top of the increasing demands on food analysis.

How are food analysis methods used?

Analytical systems and instrument developments are indispensable for solving food scandals such as the horsemeat scandal or the swindle with organic products.

But also in the areas of food safety and consumer protection, up-to-date detection and origin analyses or quality assurance systems are only possible with state-of-the-art analytical technology and novel molecular biological methods.

At analytica, you can learn more about the latest trends and methods in food analysis at the "Food Analysis" industry meeting point, in numerous expert presentations and at the booths of innovative companies.

Food analysis at analytica—these topics await you

Experience the latest products, new processes and methods from renowned market leaders and innovative newcomers from all over the world. The range of topics relating to food processing is enormously broad:

  • Food analysis in the laboratory - molds and mycotoxins - minerals and vitamins
  • Sampling, sample preparation and instrumental analysis - Non-target methods - Probiotics and food supplements
  • Authenticity - Food hygiene - Cosmetics
  • Food Fraud - Drinking Water Analysis - Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Food monitoring - Food technology - Consumer goods
  • Molecular biological methods - Food packaging, packaging and substance migration
  • Risk assessment
  • Bioanalysis
  • Nutrition - Quality assurance
  • Microbiological test methods - Additives - Digitalization and Laboratory 4.0

Focus on glyphosate: How to prove its application

For better crop growth and increased yield, herbicides and pesticides are still applied in large quantities in conventional agriculture. Glyphosate, which is to be banned in the future, is particularly controversial. The critical discussion of its carcinogenic effect and environmental hazards triggers a greater demand for effective methods to identify glyphosate. Foods and beverages on a plant and cereal basis are particularly highly contaminated with pesticides such as glyphosate.

The detection of glyphosate has become possible with state-of-the-art specific analytical methods. The total value-added chain of the analysis—from preparing the samples to LC-MS/MS analysis and compliant evaluation—allows the direct detection of glyphosate in foods. In this field, it is always decisive to transfer highly complex laboratory methods to robust routine conditions. Apart from the question about the origin of raw materials and foods, glyphosate analysis is of special significance for the production and analysis of baby and organic food. So this is a very wide field, which you should not miss, when you visit the trade fair.

FAQs regarding food analysis

What is food analysis?

Food analysis tests and assesses the quality of food. Food manufacturers ensure the safety of their goods by inspecting incoming raw materials, undertaking quality assurance during production in compliance with the law, and carrying out quality controls of the finished products. Food laboratories and official inspectors investigate whether the applicable limits for pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, heavy metals, dioxins and other contaminants are observed and whether food safety is guaranteed.

Prohibited colorants and other additives, allergens such as gluten and genetically modified organisms are also detected by modern food analysis. Against the backdrop of climate change, the identification of mycotoxins and harmful microorganisms is also becoming increasingly important. Global warming and extreme rainfall are causing pest and mold infestations to increase. More and more mycotoxins, toxic metabolites and other toxic substances are ending up in food. Talk to renowned experts at analytica about powerful analytical methods that can detect not only common germs and contaminants, but also unknown metabolites, toxins and other harmful contaminants.

What is food analysis for?

Food laboratories test food primarily to rule out health hazards and ensure that manufacturers comply with applicable laws. Using chemical, physical and bioanalytical methods, they also perform sensory analyses and verify the authenticity of foods. This is how they uncovered the horsemeat scandal, the organic produce scam, and other food frauds.

In order to track down professional food counterfeiters, laboratories must continually refine their detection capabilities and procedures, to make sure that undesirable contaminants, prohibited additives or allergens be clearly identified in the future. At analytica, you can find out how the food laboratory of tomorrow is using state-of-the-art analytical technologies to protect consumer health and uncover false declarations.

What methods do food analysts use?

Food analysts use the full range of chemical, physical, microscopic, microbiological, molecular biological, and other bioanalytical methods. In addition to established detection methods, food analysis is increasingly relying on methods such as DNA fingerprinting and Omics techniques. Advances have also been made in classical methods such as chromatography, mass spectrometry and the many different spectroscopic methods. Focus is on miniaturization and automation in the lab.

The technique of sampling and sample preparation is also crucial for reliable analysis. analytica showcases the entire value chain of food analysis and the entire spectrum of methods for food analysis. Find out about all the trends and new developments in food analysis at the world's leading trade fair and the accompanying analytica conference.

How does food analysis help protect consumers?

Adulteration of food products, such as the addition of cheaper ingredients, is a criminal offense. Moreover, it poses a risk to the health of allergy sufferers and people who are dependent on a special diet. Consumers must be able to rely on the fact that the information on food packaging corresponds to the actual content. They must not be misled in their purchasing decisions.

Using state-of-the-art chemical-analytical, microscopic and bioanalytical testing methods, food laboratories test the safety of our food and thus make a crucial contribution to protecting consumers. Learn about the full range of powerful analytical methods and Omics technologies for food sample testing at analytica.

How does food analysis help tackle adulteration and food fraud?

Food fraud is prohibited. However, official monitoring shows how widespread misrepresentation is. Sometimes the geographical origin mentioned on the label is not correct, sometimes organic goods come from conventional agriculture. Genetically modified organisms are also not always named correctly. Modern chemical-analytical and molecular-biological methods can be used to detect false declarations.

In addition, food laboratories detect the mixing-in of cheaper ingredients and other food adulteration. Diluted oils and wines, cheap sugar in honey and unauthorized additions of flavorings are an all too frequent occurrence. At analytica, you can find out which methods food laboratories use to track down this form of food fraud. Find out about the latest analytical methods for authenticating food and detecting prohibited ingredients at the world's leading trade fair.

How can the origin of food be determined?

In times of rising prices and supply chain problems, there is a growing risk of misrepresentation of food origin, making origin analysis increasingly important in the food laboratory. False information can be detected by methods such as isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The isotopic signature of common elements such as hydrogen, carbon and oxygen serves as a fingerprint that reveals the place of origin, additives and cultivation methods - whether organic or not. Find out about these and other methods used to determine the origin and authenticity of food at analytica.

What is the role of food chemistry and food analysis for functional, vegan or vegetarian foods?

One of the tasks of food chemistry and food analysis is to develop and analyze functional foods with health-promoting effects. This also includes the wide field of pre-, pro- and synbiotics as well as food supplements and their active ingredients. Omics technologies and non-target methods such as high-resolution mass spectrometry are increasingly being used for investigating these. They even decipher reactions that take place in the food itself, for example during preparation, as well as in our bodies.

Such processes also particularly come into their own for the discovery of new plant-based active ingredients and for the laboratory development of vegan or vegetarian meat alternatives. At analytica, you will learn how modern food analyses contribute to a healthy and sustainable diet.

How do food analyses detect the use of glyphosate and other pesticides?

Herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are applied in conventional agriculture to increase yields. Glyphosate is one of the most controversial pesticides. The discussion about its carcinogenic effects and hazards for the environment has triggered increased demand for effective detection methods for glyphosate. Glyphosate analysis is of particular importance in the production and testing of organic food and baby food.

analytica is a mine of information on the entire value chain of pesticide analysis, from sampling and sample preparation and analysis using chromatography and mass spectrometry, to automated evaluation. At analytica, learn how state-of-the-art analytical methods detect hundreds of pesticides simultaneously and deliver reliable results even in routine laboratories.

How do you detect microplastics in food?

Microplastics are now found almost everywhere. The tiny plastic particles have already been detected in salt, mineral water and quite a few foods. They enter our food from packaging or are found in foods such as fish and seafood. Every week, we ingest microplastics the weight of a credit card. The tiny plastic particles in food can be detected with a combination of microscopy and spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy is considered the method of choice. Learn about these and other food analysis techniques that detect microplastics in food, as well as in the environment and other samples, at analytica.

What role does digitalization play in food analysis?

More powerful computers for controlling analytical instruments, accelerated data processing and ever greater storage capacities ensure greater efficiency in the laboratory. This benefits food inspectors in particular, as they often have to deliver results quickly, meaning there's no time to waste.

Thanks to digitalization and automation, food laboratories can test more samples in less time while increasing the quality of their analytical results. The inexorable advance of laboratory digitalization is made very apparent every two years at analytica. At the world's leading trade fair, exhibitors from all over the world will be presenting laboratory robots and digital tools for the laboratory of tomorrow. analytica's extensive supporting program with special events on digitalization will also bring you up to date.

What role does artificial intelligence play in food analysis?

Digitalization is increasingly making its way into the food laboratory. Robots and semi-automated systems are already taking a lot of work away from laboratory staff. Now, artificial intelligence is set to make the processes even more efficient. In the future AI could, for example, detect the microbiological quality of food and identify spoiled products. AI is also helpful in non-target analysis, as it can search databases worldwide for spectra and structures to decipher unknown substances.

How do you detect perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in food?

Because of their widespread use, poor degradability in the environment and harmful effects on health, perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, or PFASs for short, are known as forever chemicals and the “poison of the century”. Because they repel oil and fat as well as water, they are in many food packages and thus end up in our food. More and more food analysis is dedicated to PFAS. The Drinking Water Ordinance has already defined limit values for some PFAS.

Food laboratories, for example, detect PFAS with a combination of chromatography and mass spectrometry. Other methods are also under development. Since there is still a sore lack of reliable detection methods for all PFAS, PFAS analysis is one of the major challenges in food analysis. Find out about the latest developments at analytica and learn how scientists, instrument manufacturers and users are tackling the issue.

What does climate change mean for food analysis?

Global warming and the accompanying extreme precipitation are accelerating food spoilage, which in turn means an increase in pest and mold infestation. To detect infestations of mycotoxins, microbial germs and other pests, food inspectors need methods that are both powerful and fast. At analytica, talk to renowned experts about high-resolution analytical methods that detect not only common germs and contaminants, but also unknown metabolites, toxins and other harmful contaminants.

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