AUSTRIA/NORWAY – ORIVO and Imprint Analytics, both of which are food testing and authentication companies, have tied up to provide transparency to the sea food market through highly advanced chemical fingerprinting analysis.

Imprint Analytics came up with the method that uses multi-isotope fingerprints for product authentication.

According to Dr David Psomiadis, Chairman of Imprint), the technical solution created by the Austrian authenticity team is superior than any other available.

”Until now, there has not been a published or validated method to provide a reliable assessment of the origin of omega-3 oils and supplements. This database is also the most comprehensive and can be expanded with new countries.,” he said.

He explained that the multi-isotope fingerprint, which is used based on state-of the-art analytical equipment , is what gives the power to this large database.

The Austrian group will bring its ‘technical expertise’ in the field of application to the collaboration while ORIVO provides its deep seafood market knowledge’ as well as ‘experience in authenticity problems’.

Imprint will be ORIVO’s ‘professional high-throughput lab’, in addition to partnering with the research and development (R&D) team.

The companies will target the organic salmon market and the fish oil dietary supplement markets, where the method is already tested and validated. The companies plan to provide the testing service to seafood distributors, manufacturers, and retailers as well as Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) finance companies.

Increased traceability demand

The tie-up comes in response to increasing demand for ‘reliable traceability documentation’ in consumer products. As consumers increasingly demand proof for product claims, the companies feel that documenting the seafood’s origin is more important than ever.

“We see this growing demand for seafood products where origin is extra important for consumers. These are products for which it can be difficult to verify the claims on the product labels. Organic salmon products are one example. Many consumers are concerned that they may not be buying organic salmon,” Svein Haugmo, CEO of ORICO observed.

Haugmo said that omega-3 concentrates will also benefit from greater transparency and authentication, as reported by Food Navigator.

“Omega-3 concentrates make up a large portion of the current market for omega-3 products. It was impossible until now to trace the origin of these products using a laboratory analysis. This new tool, along with a strong database containing reference samples from most popular fish oil sources, allows us to expand our existing authentication services from natural omega-3 product to the entire market,” he stated.

Dr Psomiadis believes that the proposition will resonate well with customers due to consumer drivers and an increase to ESG issues with increased emphasis on ‘sustainability goals’ and “responsible source”.

It is becoming more difficult to get the consumer’s attention through product claims because of growing distrust. What could be more effective than authenticating the evidence? Execution of an authentication program could be used to protect brands in multiple ways, allowing companies to retain, strengthen or even restore consumer trust in their products,” he said.

The companies revealed that the first commercial assignments based on this new and revolutionary testing have already been successfully delivered to a handful of pilot customers.

“Our common principles and vision with ORIVO in providing complete testing, verification and certification services to the seafood industry secures reliable and trustworthy evidence-based traceability tools. These tools are now available to food operators to safeguard responsible sourcing, sustainability protocols, and ESG corporate policies HTML1. This service will now be available to all,” said Dr Psomiadis.

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