UK Food Origin Improvement

Earlier this year, samples were taken from 96 foods – including apple juice, tomatoes, honey, beef, pork and lamb – and the results showed that none were being sold with misleading country of origin claims.

Longhand Isotopes, conductors of the experiment, used SIRA technology: a science which has been used for years within archaeology and to determine the origins of human remains.

Roger Young, managing director of Longhand Isotopes said, “We welcome this study and the clear significance that the FSA and Defra are placing on the ability of SIRA to investigate and assure the trustworthiness of food origins and associated labelling.

“We’ve known for some time the potential this technology has to offer the food industry in terms of accountability, highlighted by the increasing number of customers using us and our technology to deliver powerful due diligence of the origin of their products.

“This recent FSA research has highlighted again how valuable such a checking system is in safeguarding standards and promoting consumer confidence. There needs to be a collective push to ensure that we incorporate the technology into routine food traceability testing to achieve greater transparency.”