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Research on new technology and laboratory methodology for better authenticity and quality determination of fruit juices

Cel

Since its foundation the SGF's concern is to monitor the fruit juice industry's goods in the market. On behalf of its members and in fulfilling its objective defined in its statutes, the SGF uses directed market observations to monitor the compliance with the relevant food law and labelling regulations. In cases of complaint, the SGF initiates suitable actions against the misdemeanours and stops infractions of the food law as well as competitive distortions. To allow the reliable recognition of so-called 'intelligent' adulterations in the future, the Schutzgemeinschaft is conducting two research projects organized within the EC programmes FLAIR and BCR.

The projects are concerned with research and development of advanced and progressive analytical methods, the setting up a European data bank, and the development of statistical and intelligent evaluation methods, which should then be used to guarantee the quality, authenticity and identity of fruit juices and fruit juice beverages.
Research has been carried out in order to develop advanced and progressive analytical methods, statistical and intelligent evaluation methods and an European databank which can be used to guarantee the quality, authenticity and identity of fruit juices and fruit juice beverages.

The authenticity criteria for the following kind of fruits are being developed: oranges, grapefruits, apples, grapes, black currants and sour cherries.
In order to take regional, seasonal and geographical influences into consideration the sampling in the individual countries is conducted at the beginning, middle and end of the respective harvesting campaigns.
Authentic fruit juice concentrates as well as their byproducts such as fruit pulp, extracted juice, pulp wash, pulp wash concentrates have been sampled.

Up to now 632 authentic samples, including byproducts, have been sampled for the research project. Independent, competent institutions take samples according to precise specifications. To ensure that the samples taken in the individual countries reach the examinating laboratories unchanged, the samples are sealed and coded immediately after sampling and then sent at -18 C in drums.

14 laboratories from 6 countries have been included in a ring test.
Without having been informed about such a test, the laboratories were asked to examine a deep frozen orange juice concentrate according to a defined scope of analysis with defined methods. To test the capability of the partner laboratories and to ensure the reproducibility of the anlytical results, the test parameters were identical to the ones to be examined conventionally for the authentic fruit juice samples.

Using corrections or repetitive determinations of single, dubious parameters it is ensured that only carefully tested and controlled analytical parameters are included in the databank. Only reproducible data should be used for the statistical test methods and the evaluation of fruit juices with regard to possible adulte rations.
A total of 10 research and industrial institutions from several countries are participating in these research projects. Being charged with the coordination of the complete project, the SGF monitors progress of each individual participant in the FLAIR project.

The SGF is responsible for supplying the participating laboratories with authentic samples, for inclusion of the analytical data into the data bank, for the exchange of information among the participants, and for the evaluation of the periodic reports. The SGF organizes the meetings and workshops as stated in the contract.

The authenticity criteria for the following kind of fruits will be developed: oranges, grapefruits, apples, grapes, blackcurrants and sour cherries.

The samples are taken by the SGF on site. Prerequisites for the authenticity of such a sample, which will subsequently be examined by the project participants, are the inspection of the raw material, the thorough knowledge of the processing line, the withdrawal of juice, concentrate, and byproducts at precisely defined points within the process. For each sampling, a sample report is prepared.

In order to take regional, seasonal and geographical influences into consideration the sampling in the individual countries is being conducted at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the respective harvesting campaigns.

Up to now the SGF has sampled authentic fruit juice concentrates as well as their byproducts such as fruit pulp, extracted juice, pulp-wash, pulp-wash concentrates on site in the following countries: Brazil, Argentina, Florida, California, Italy, Israel, Spain, France, Germany, Denmark.

Samples from Egypt, Belgium, England, Cuba, Morocco, Cyprus, Uruguay, Venezuela, Poland, Hungary will be taken in some companies in Germany. These companies process fresh fruits from the mentioned countries. It is ensured by documentation and control that the fruits really have their origin in the above mentioned countries. A corresponding proof is stated in the sampling report.

Temat(-y)

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Zaproszenie do składania wniosków

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System finansowania

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Koordynator

SCHUTZGEMEINSCHAFT DER FRUCHTSAFT-INDUSTRIE E.V.
Wkład UE
Brak danych
Adres
Am Hahnenbusch 14 B
55268 NIEDER-OLM
Niemcy

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