title: Locally Grown, Natural Ingredients? The Isotope Ratio Can Reveal a Lot!
abstract: This communication gives an overview of selected isotope analyses applied to food authenticity assessment. Different isotope ratio detection technologies such as isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and cavity ring down spectroscopy (CRDS) are briefly described. It will be explained how δ(18)O of water contained in fruits and vegetables can be used to assess their country of production. It will be explained why asparagus grown in Valais, in the centre of the Alps carries much less heavy water than asparagus grown closer to the sea coast. On the other hand, the use of δ(13)C can reveal whether a product is natural or adulterated. Applications including honey or sparkling wine adulteration detection will be briefly presented.
authors.affiliation: Service de la consommation et des affaires vétérinaires (SCAV) Rue Pré d'Amédée 2 CH-1950 Sion, Switzerland. joel.rossier@admin.vs.ch.
authors.forename: Joël S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rossier
authors.affiliation: Service de la consommation et des affaires vétérinaires (SCAV) Rue Pré d'Amédée 2 CH-1950 Sion, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maury
authors.affiliation: Service de la consommation et des affaires vétérinaires (SCAV) Rue Pré d'Amédée 2 CH-1950 Sion, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pfammatter