We are pleased to announce a brand new analytical method for hydrogen cyanide! The highly toxic compound with the characteristic bitter almond odor is mostly colorless and also known as hydrogen cyanide. It occurs naturally in foods such as almonds, apricot kernels, and even flaxseed. With the new method, we can determine hydrogen cyanide in samples even more accurately and efficiently - for this we use the headspace GC-MS analysis technique.

The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SC PAFF) adopted maximum levels for inorganic arsenic in several products on October 19th, 2022. Affected are food for infants and young children, fruit juices and nectars, rice flour and rice drinks and salt. At the same time, existing maximum levels for milled, uncooked rice will be lowered further.

Lupins (Lupinus spp.) belong to the legume family (Fabaceae) and are herbaceous plants growing up to 4.5 meters high. With up to 50% high-quality protein in dry matter, lupins are more than just an alternative to soybeans. In cultivation, they require little fertilization, little sun, loosen soils and bind atmospheric nitrogen.

For this reason, lupins are not only a popular raw material as animal feed, but are also increasingly used in the food industry. For example, the (ground) seeds of lupins are often used in bread and baked goods, confectionery, ice cream products, fried foods or even as a caffeine-free hot drink.

Alternaria toxins are myctoxins formed by the widespread black fungi of the genus Alternaria L. They are secondary metabolic products and are optimally formed at 25 - 28°C. The best known Alternaria toxins include alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and tenuazonic acid (TeA).

From 1st January 2023, binding EU-wide THC limits will apply to foods made from hemp seed. From the opinion of the Standing Committee on Foodstuffs the maximum levels based on Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 in foodstuffs made from hemp seeds will be set at 3.0 mg/kg for dry products (flour, proteins, seeds) and 7.5 mg/kg for hemp seed oil.