Geographical Origin Control

Geographical origin claims on food labels are increasingly important for consumers and legislators. Breaches of traceability schemes are frequently reported; analytical tools are therefore essential to support due diligence and secure supply chains.

A single origin cannot be determined with absolute certainty by analysis alone; however, it is possible to check whether a product’s analytical characteristics match reference data for the declared origin. This approach is routinely applied to both plant and animal products. Plant profiles are influenced by their growth environment. Animal profiles are influenced by rearing conditions such as drinking water and local feeding. Globalised feed and trade may reduce differences, but local agricultural and industrial practices can still provide discriminatory signals.

Non‑food natural products such as cotton, textiles and certain materials can also be assessed for origin where suitable analytical markers exist.

How geographical origin control works

The parameters used must demonstrate discrimination between countries or regions. In practice this often involves

• Stable isotope ratio analysis by IRMS (typically ²H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ¹⁸O)

• Site‑specific isotope information where appropriate; for example SNIF‑NMR on ethanol from wines and spirits

• Complementary profiling such as NMR metabolomic fingerprints

• In some cases, additional elemental or isotopic markers; for example ⁸⁷Sr for regional signals

A 100% discrimination of all sources is not possible, but the tests are all the more selective if the characterised geographical area of the declared origin is limited in space.

The basis for interpretation is the use of statistical confidence intervals based on the reference data set. A confidence level >99% is usually used for decision making. If a sample lies

• Outside the reference interval; it cannot belong to the declared origin and the result is reported as not consistent with the claim

• Inside the reference interval; it is consistent with the claim, noting that undetectable alternative origins with similar profiles may still be possible

Eurofins laboratory network origin verification offer

We offer single food ingredient with a declared origin verification as follows

• Plant product with at least a country of origin

  • Cereals including coffee; ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O

  • Fruit juice (not from concentrate); ¹³C, ¹⁸O, ²H

  • Wine; ¹³C, ¹⁸O, ²H

  • Olive oil (EU); ¹³C, ¹⁸O, ²H

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables; ¹³C, ¹⁸O, ²H

• Plant product with a regional origin; ⁸⁷Sr where relevant

• Animal product

  • Meat and dairy; corn silage feeding signal ¹³C

  • Meat optimum; ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ²H, ³⁴S

  • Meat basic and honey; ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ²H

  • Milk; ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O

  • Butter; ¹³C, ²H, ¹⁸O

  • Cheese; ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ²H

  • Eggs; ¹⁸O, ²H

Advantages of using these methods

• Evidence‑based verification; compares samples against large, curated reference datasets

• Multi‑matrix applicability; suitable for plant and animal products, and selected non‑food natural materials

• Complementary techniques; IRMS and NMR profiling provide orthogonal information to increase confidence

• Decision transparency; results interpreted using defined statistical confidence intervals

Advantages of using the Eurofins network

• Global expertise, local service; access to specialist authenticity laboratories and reference collections

• Advanced facilities; high‑performance IRMS and NMR platforms maintained to stringent calibration and quality standards

• Integrated services; ability to combine isotope analysis with chemical profiling, molecular biology and sensory testing

• Regulatory alignment; methods developed to reflect current international standards and industry best practice

• Scalable capacity; suitable for routine monitoring and investigative projects

• Proven track record

Contact us

Contact Eurofins Food Testing UK to access our full range of authenticity testing and consultancy services by submitting an enquiry or calling +44 (0)845 604 6740