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The assessment of foods containing botanicals above toxicological thresholds poses challenges, as administrative court decisions have set high barriers for the application of Art. 14 para. 2a or 2b of the General Food Law Regulation (EC) No 178/2002. If the application of Art. 14 para. 2b of the General Regulation is restricted by a narrow interpretation of para. 5 to contamination, putrefaction, spoilage or decomposition, a regulatory loophole emerges. The examples of tetrahydrocannabinol in hemp products with cannabidiol and curcumin in food supplements with turmeric illustrate the challenge of food regulatory evaluation, as there is no contamination by definition in the products mentioned. In such cases, where Art. 14 of the General Regulation cannot be applied, an assessment as unfit for consumption according to § 12 food and feed law (LFGB) has to be considered. The legal basis transferred to German national § 12 LFGB was historically used for the assessment of so-called disgust cases. However, § 12 LFGB is not explicitly limited to these, but is openly formulated for cases that are not subject to Art. 14 of the General Regulation. Accordingly, in the opinion of the authors, a food regulatory assessment of products containing botanicals that exceed toxicological threshold values is possible under § 12 LFGB.

Subsequent to the dietary uptake of nitrate/nitrite in combination with acetaldehyde/ethanol, combination effects resulting from the sustained endogenous exposure to nitrite and acetaldehyde may be expected. This may imply locoregional effects in the upper gastrointestinal tract as well as systemic effects, such as a potential influence on endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds (NOC). Salivary concentrations of the individual components nitrate and nitrite and acetaldehyde are known to rise after ingestion, absorption and systemic distribution, thereby reflecting their respective plasma kinetics and parallel secretion through the salivary glands as well as the microbial/enzymatic metabolism in the oral cavity. Salivary excretion may also occur with certain drug molecules and food constituents and their metabolites. Therefore, putative combination effects in the oral cavity and the upper digestive tract may occur, but this has remained largely unexplored up to now. In this Guest Editorial, published evidence on exposure levels and biokinetics of nitrate/nitrite/NOx, NOC and acetaldehyde in the organism is reviewed and knowledge gaps concerning combination effects are identified. Research is suggested to be initiated to study the related unresolved issues. published

Two extraction schemes, conventional and high-pressure extraction methods were applied on Calligonum azel Maire leaves and roots, with purpose to exploit this plant as a source of natural antioxidants. The total phenolic content (TPC), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) of extracts, and solid materials were determined. Varying yields of active fractions were obtained by consecutive extractions with increasing polarity solvents. In the Soxhlet extraction, the highest antioxidant capacity values were obtained with methanol, while in the pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), the highest TEAC was recorded in acetone extracts for both materials. The changes of antioxidant indicators of solid plant materials during the extraction were studied by the so-called QUENCHER method (QU: quick, E: Easy, N: New, CHE: Cheap, and R: Reproducible). In this case, TPC varied in the range of 2.3–60.5 expressed in mg gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry weight of plant (mg GAE/g DWP), while radical scavenging capacity was 1.7–75.4 micromole Trolox equivalent per gram of dry weight of plant material (µmol TE/g DWP). All extracts were analysed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and the results showed thirteen compounds including flavonoids. The essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation, were screened by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and the results showed the presence of 82 and 55 compounds in C. azel leaves and roots, representing 97.6% and 83.4% of the oil, respectively, while in the supercritical fluid extraction using CO2, both materials showed 52 and 50 compounds, representing over 98.7% and 71.5% of the oil.

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the materials presented during alcohol consumption assessment sufficiently aid interviewees in categorizing the beverages they consumed during their lifetime. In the cross-sectional “AF-CIDI” online survey, N = 162 adult drinkers (61% female, 40% non-students) aged 27 ± 8.2 years assigned beverages names to one of ten categories of the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI) supplementary list. Eighty percent of these 4465 laymen beverage assignments were correctly classified in accordance with expert assignments. Assignment correctness was associated with confidence, and, to a smaller degree, exposure, prevalence, utility of examples, and age group. Alcohol by volume (ABV) estimates based on subjective classifications differed 2.7 points on average from CIDI-based ABVs, which in turn differed 3.6 points on average from real ABVs measured with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Beverages with low lifetime prevalences (≤ 25%) were frequently misclassified. This understudied response bias might be part of the well-known underreporting phenomenon.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is evaluated as an efficient analytical technique for simultaneous identification and quantitation of multiple compounds in alcohol-free beverages. The method was validated for three different types of soft drinks, including a beverage with high sugar content, a diet product and an energy drink. The sample preparation required only 600 μL of degassed soft drink, 70 μL of 0.1 % TSP-d4 in D2O (for referencing and locking) and 100 μL of phosphate buffer (pH = 2.89). The simultaneous quantitative analysis of eleven compounds, such as sugars, flavourings, sweeteners, organic acids, alcohol (ethanol), vitamins and amino acids, was achieved using an automated procedure based on the PULCON principle (pulse length based concentration determination). Recovery rates were between 80 % (HMF) and 106 % (ethanol). The limits of quantitation (LOQ) varied between 52 mg/L for saccharin and 12 g/L for sucrose due to different matrix contents. Sample analysis time is about 25 min including sample preparation and automated data processing. A comparison with conventional methods showed the suitability of NMR for routine analysis of soft drinks.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) since 1988. More recently, in 2010, ethanol as the major constituent of alcoholic beverages and its metabolite acetaldehyde were also classified as carcinogenic to humans. Alcoholic beverages as multi-component mixtures may additionally contain further known or suspected human carcinogens as constituent or contaminant. This review will discuss the occurrence and toxicology of eighteen carcinogenic compounds (acetaldehyde, acrylamide, aflatoxins, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, ethanol, ethyl carbamate, formaldehyde, furan, glyphosate, lead, 3-MCPD, 4-methylimidazole, N-nitrosodimethylamine, pulegone, ochratoxin A, safrole) occurring in alcoholic beverages as identified based on monograph reviews by the IARC. For most of the compounds of alcoholic beverages, quantitative risk assessment provided evidence for only a very low risk (such as margins of exposure above 10,000). The highest risk was found for ethanol, which may reach exposures in ranges known to increase the cancer risk even at moderate drinking (margin of exposure around 1). Other constituents that could pose a risk to the drinker were inorganic lead, arsenic, acetaldehyde, cadmium and ethyl carbamate, for most of which mitigation by good manufacturing practices is possible. Nevertheless, due to the major effect of ethanol, the cancer burden due to alcohol consumption can only be reduced by reducing alcohol consumption in general or by lowering the alcoholic strength of beverages.

This paper reports 1H NMR and NIR spectroscopic analysis of hydrogen bonding in acetone mixtures with water, CHCl3, CCl4, and CDCl3 with varying acetone concentrations (0–100 vol%). Spectroscopic data were chemometrically analyzed using independent component analysis to resolve the spectra of complexes existing in the solutions and to obtain their concentration profiles. Ab initio calculations provided additional information (hydrogen-bond energy and bond distance) about the investigated complexes. We have found that in addition to independent solvent associates, acetone–water mixtures contain three intermolecular complexes with acetone–water ratios of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3. In less polar solvents with hydrogen or deuterium atoms (CDCl3, CHCl3), acetone does not generate self-associates and forms an intermolecular complex (1:1). In contrast, in aprotic non-polar carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) solutions, where no hydrogen-bonding is possible, self-association (as mentioned above for water–acetone mixtures) of two acetone molecules is preferred. The combination of spectroscopic techniques (1H NMR, NIR) with chemometric modeling and ab initio calculations leads to a better understanding of concentration dependent changes in the structure of acetone solutions. The approach discussed can be used for investigation of hydrogen-bonded interactions in other mixed solvents.

Laboratories intending to work as official laboratories for food control have to be accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025. This necessitates the use of validated analytical methods. In this study, we present validation results of the recently commercialized “JuiceScreener” based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy with apple juice as application example. The quantitative analysis included 29 compounds such as major sugars, amino acids, organic acids, as well as acetoin, arbutin, benzaldehyde, hydroxymethylfurfural, acetaldehyde, methanol, and ethanol. Limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), coefficients of variation (CV) for replicated measurements, repeatability, linear range, and recoveries were determined. The LOD and LOQ values varied in the 0.48–16 mg/L and in the 1.9–122 mg/L ranges with the lowest values for shikimic acid and highest for the principal sugars. The 1H NMR assays were linear in broad concentration ranges (R > 0.99), encompassed typical concentration in apple juices, and are sufficient to control the requirements of the code of practice of the European fruit juice association. Recoveries between 92 and 109 % on average for five separate standard additions were obtained. The average CVs were found to be 3.0 % (intraday) and 3.6 % (interday) excluding sample preparation (by measuring five time one solution) and 5.5 % (intraday) and 6.2 % (interday) including sample preparation (by preparing and analyzing five separate samples). The NMR method was judged as suitable for the simultaneous quantification of compounds in apple juice for official food control purposes. Our results show that multiparameter NMR methods can be successfully validated with standard instrumentarium and that they are fit for the purpose of official food control.

Die Bewohner der sudpazifischen Inseln benutzen die Kavapflanze (Piper methysticum) traditionell zur Herstellung eines Getranks mit entspannender Wirkung. Seit den 1990er Jahren ist Kava auch in den westlichen Landern popular und wurde in Europa und Amerika als Arzneimittel vor allem in Tabletten- und Kapselform bei Angststorungen angewendet. Kava zeigt am Menschen angstlosende und schlafverbessernde Effekte, an Tieren konnten unter anderem sedierende, antikonvulsive und zentral muskelrelaxierende Wirkungen nachgewiesen werden, die auf Kavalactone als Hauptinhaltsstoffe von Kava zuruckgefuhrt werden. Bereits im Jahre 2002 verlor Kava die Zulassung als Arzneimittel aufgrund nicht unerheblicher Nebenwirkungen, vor allem Leberschadigungen. Testbestellungen und Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass als Arzneimittel einzustufende Produkte mit pharmakologisch wirksamen Konzentrationen an Kavalactonen weiterhin uber den Internethandel als vorgebliche Nahrungserganzungsmittel illegal an den deutschen Verbraucher abgegeben werden. Die naturliche Herkunft wird werblich als Vorteil gegenuber synthetischen Tranquilizern hervorgehoben. Die kurzlich erfolgte Einstufung von Kava durch die International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) der WHO als „moglicherweise krebserregend fur den Menschen“ (Gruppe 2B) verleiht einer verstarkten Kontrolle des Internethandels mit Kava-Produkten besonderen Nachdruck.

Methyleugenol is a substance that is possibly carcinogenic to humans, which may occur in foods containing certain herbs and spices. The European Union has set maximum levels for some product groups, but there is a lack of comprehensive market surveys for this compound. In this study, we compare two procedures for methyleugenol determination in foods, namely GC/MS, which is currently seen as gold standard for such an analytical problem, and NMR, which is hypothesized to be suitable as a faster screening. The sample preparation for GC/MS consists of homogenization in ethanol followed by liquid–liquid extraction for fat-free foods or automatic steam distillation for fat-containing foods. The extract or distillate is then measured using GC/MS either in SCAN or SIM mode (dependent on concentration) with cyclodecanone as internal standard. For 1H NMR, the ethanolic solution can be directly measured without further extraction or distillation. Quantification using external standardization is conducted for NMR. Both procedures were validated and fulfilled the requirements for quantitative food analysis. The applicability was demonstrated by analyzing 120 samples including basil, estragon, pimento, nutmeg, several teas, alcoholic beverages, and pesto. GC/MS is more sensitive, precise, and suitable for regulatory purposes but time-consuming and expensive. NMR can be used for a faster screening analysis and appears to be ideal for conducting larger surveys to estimate human exposure.

In einer interdisziplinaren Expertengruppe aus Juristen, Lebensmittelchemikern und Pharmazeuten wurde untersucht, welche Voraussetzungen fur eine an alle neuen Vermarktungsformen angepasste Lebensmittelkontrolle zu stellen sind. Bei im Internet gehandelten Erzeugnissen wie Lebensmittel, Kosmetika oder Bedarfsgegenstande ist bereits die Einordnung bzw. Abgrenzung zu anderen Bereichen wie Arzneimitteln durch mehrdeutige Informationen oft problematisch. Daher schlagen wir in dieser Arbeit einen Entscheidungsbaum mit einer Einordnungshilfe vor. Des Weiteren sind die vorhandenen gesetzlichen Regelungen zur Probenahme auf die neuen Vermarktungsformen nur teilweise ubertragbar. Bei einer Probenahme auf behordliche Bestellung muss beispielsweise beachtet werden, dass die Probenauswahl dem Handler obliegt und somit eine Manipulation moglich ist. Auserdem kann keine versiegelte Gegenprobe hinterlassen werden. Neue Rahmenbedingungen und Strukturen sind daher notwendig, wie beispielsweise die Moglichkeit einer Online-Probenahme, die bei Verdachtsfallen auch verdeckt durchfuhrbar sein muss. Vorschlage fur weitere rechtliche Anderungen schliesen die Schaffung eines Zentralregisters fur Internetbetriebe, sowie eine verbesserte Lebensmittelkennzeichnung ein, die vollumfanglich bereits im Online-Angebot erfolgen sollte. Die hierfur notwendigen gesetzlichen Novellierungen mussen in differenzierter Weise auf die neuen Fallgestaltungen eingehen, wobei in einem ersten Ansatz bundesweite Regelungen, danach EU-weite Normen erforderlich sind. Dabei ist auserdem zu beachten, dass Internethandler im Vergleich zum konventionellen Handel weder privilegiert noch benachteiligt werden sollten. Als flankierende Masnahmen schlagen wir eine verbesserte Verbraucherinformation uber die Gefahren des Internethandels sowie ein zertifiziertes Prufsiegel fur registrierte Onlineshops vor.

Benzol ist ein Umweltschadstoff und wird vor allem uber die Atemluft aufgenommen, kann aber auch als Verunreinigung in Trinkwasser und Lebensmitteln vorkommen. Benzol wirkt krebserregend und lost Leukamie aus. In Lebensmitteln wurden erhohte Benzolgehalte in der Vergangenheit insbesondere in alkoholfreien Erfrischungsgetranken festgestellt, da Benzol aus dem Konservierungsstoff Benzoesaure freigesetzt werden kann. Aus diesem Grund verzichten die Hersteller heute auf diesen Konservierungsstoff und Benzol stellt hier nach neuesten Untersuchungsergebnissen kein Problem mehr dar (die Gehalte liegen unterhalb des EU-Trinkwassergrenzwertes von 1 μg/L). Im Rahmen des Monitorings von Getranken wurde jedoch Benzol mit einem durchschnittlichen Gehalt von 2 μg/L auch in Karottensaften fur Sauglinge und Kleinkinder entdeckt, wobei hier ein hitzeinduzierter Bildungsmechanismus wahrend der Sterilisation im Vordergrund steht. Modellversuche haben gezeigt, dass Benzol durch thermische Zersetzung aus verschiedenen in Karotten enthaltenen Vorstufen (z. B. Carotin, Phenylalanin, Aromastoffe) entstehen kann. Auch kommerzielle karottenhaltige Sauglingsnahrung (Beikost) sowie Karottenkonserven enthalten aus diesem Grund Benzol, nicht jedoch haushaltsublich frisch gepresste Karottensafte und selbst zubereitete Sauglingsnahrung. Kommerzielle Sauglingsnahrung in Plastikgefasen zeigt gegenuber Glasverpackungen signifikant geringere Benzolgehalte. Vorlaufige Risikobewertungen ergaben selbst bei Babys eine Aufnahme unterhalb von Schwellenwerten, ab denen ein Gesundheitsrisiko angenommen wird. Aufgrund des vorbeugenden gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutzes und des Minimierungsgebots fur krebserregende Kontaminanten sollten die Gehalte in Karottenprodukten dennoch reduziert werden, insbesondere deshalb, weil mit Babys und Kindern eine der empfindlichsten Verbrauchergruppen betroffen ist. Der Fokus sollte hierbei auf eine Verbesserung der Sterilisationsbedingungen gesetzt werden.

Mercury is an environmental contaminant that appears in different chemical forms. Organic forms of mercury, such as methylmercury, can occur in marine organisms like fish and shellfish and are far more toxic than the inorganic form. It is therefore vital to have refined analytical methods for the different mercuric species in order to evaluate the potential risk for seafood consumers. The aim of our investigations was to develop a simple, robust and valid method for differentiation of the mercury species in marine organisms. Different alkaline and acidic digestion procedures were evaluated. The best performing methodology consisted of digestion of 0.5 g sample in methanolic potassium hydroxide solution. After derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate and extraction of the ethylated mercury species using n-hexane, a quantitative determination of the extract using gas chromatography, combined with atomic emission detection, was possible. The procedure was shown to be selective and sensitive with a limit of detection of 6.1 μg/kg for methylmercury. The average recovery for the full procedure was 91 ± 19%. A preliminary survey of seafoods confirmed the previous observation that the proportion of methylmercury in the total mercury can vary widely, up to a complete occurrence as methylmercury.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy allows fast throughput screening of beverages (less than 2 min per sample). Using partial least squares (PLS) regression, it was demonstrated that relative density and alcohol content, which have previously been calibrated only for extract-free spirits, can also be determined in highly viscous liqueur samples. In addition, total dry extract (TDE) was successfully calibrated for the first time for both spirit and liqueur screening. An inter-laboratory validation showed that the standard errors of prediction, ranging between 0.0006 and 0.0078 (relative density), 0.23 and 0.74 % vol (alcoholic strength), and 0.55 and 7.53 g/l (TDE), were satisfactory for use of the FTIR-PLS method in the context of screening analysis in official food control of alcoholic beverages.

Conductivity measurement is introduced as a rapid, simple and cheap way to identify counterfeit vodka. It was found that the conductivity of vodka derives exclusively from its content of inorganic anions which were previously suggested as markers for vodka authenticity using ion chromatographic determination. The conductivity of vodka is very stable between different batches of bottle filling of the same brand, but there are large differences between different brands. Especially discount brands have significantly higher conductivities than premium products. The applicability of conductivity measurement was demonstrated in authentic forensic cases of brand fraud. A large advantage above other methods of authentication is the possibility to conduct conductivity measurements with mobile meters directly in gastronomy.

Due to major concerns about morphine present in poppy seed intended for use in food, the establishment of maximum limits is currently discussed and options to reduce its content are searched. With the aim to propose guidelines for consumers and bakeries about minimization of the morphine content in poppy seed, the kinetics of morphine degradation during grinding as well as the possibility to reduce the morphine content by washing steps are evaluated in this study. A significant reduction of morphine by grinding using standard poppy seed mills was ascertained. The degradation occurs directly at grinding and does not continue during subsequent storage. Washing the poppy seed with hot water (60 °C) is an effective way to reduce the morphine content by approx. 70%. The optimal treatment of poppy seed consists of washing, drying, and grinding. This process significantly reduces the morphine content and simultaneously improves the organoleptical quality of the product.

So-called energy drinks with very high amounts of taurine (up to 4000 mg/l are usually granted by certificates of exemption) are increasingly offered on the market. To control the currently valid maximum limits of taurine in energy drinks, a simple and rapid analytical method is required to use it routinely in food monitoring. In this article, we describe a fast and efficient analytical method (FTIR-spectroscopy) that is able to reliably characterize and quantify taurine in energy drinks. The determination of taurine in energy drinks by FTIR was compared with amino acid analyzer (ion chromatography with ninhydrin-postcolumn derivatization). During analysis of 80 energy drinks, a median concentration of 3180 mg/l was found in alcohol-free products, 314 mg/l in energy drinks with spirits, 151 mg/l in beer-containing drinks and 305 mg/l in beverages with wine. Risk analysis of these products is difficult due to the lack of valid toxicological information about taurine and its interferences with other ingredients of energy drinks (for example caffeine and alcohol). So far, the high taurine concentrations of energy drinks in comparison to the rest of the diet are scientifically doubtful, as the advertised physiological effects and the value of supplemented taurine are unproven.

An experimental design, in combination with oscillation-type densimetry is introduced as a novel procedure to optimise steam distillation for the determination of alcoholic strength in different types of alcoholic beverages. A central composite design was chosen to study the effects of variation in levels of receiver volume (25 and 50 ml), steam power (30–100%), distillation time (20–140 s) and sample volume (5–50 ml). Three commercial spirit drinks with different alcoholic strengths (4.9, 35.3, and 54.7% vol.) were compared on two automated steam distillation devices of different manufacturers by separately completing the experimental design for each. The models fitted for the prediction of the alcoholic strength, as indicated by an r 2 value of more than 0.93. Various surface plots were generated to describe the relationship between operating variables and predicted alcoholic strength. Optimum conditions were 50 ml receiver volume, 70% steam power, 100 s distillation time and 25 ml sample volume. Slight deviations from the optimum did not result in substantial decrease of alcoholic strength. Validation experiments carried out under predicted conditions showed excellent correspondence to the reference procedure (R=0.999).

Ethyl carbamate (EC, urethane, C2H5OCONH2) is a known genotoxic carcinogen of widespread occurrence in fermented food and beverages with the highest concentrations being found in stone-fruit spirits. Time-consuming procedures requiring extraction and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination are regarded as reference procedures for the analysis of EC in alcoholic beverages. In this study, the rapid method of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in combination with partial least-squares (PLS) regression using selected wavelength bands is applied for the first time to the screening analysis of EC in stone fruit spirits (analysis time only 2 min). Apart from the actual content of EC in the sample, additional information was available from the FTIR spectra. This included data concerning the EC precursor hydrocyanic acid (HCN) and the maximum EC concentration which could be formed during storage. The PLS procedure was validated using an independent set of samples (Q(2) = 0.71-0.76, SEP = 0.42-0.67). The method was found to lack the accuracy required for a quantitative determination; it could only be used semi-quantitatively in the context of a screening analysis. If a rejection level of 0.8 mg L(-1) is applied as cut-off, overall correct classification rates of 85-91% for the calibration set and 77-85% for the validation set were achieved. False negative results can be avoided by lowering the cut-off to 0.6 mg L(-1). Through use of FTIR screening, 60-70% of all samples can be classified as negative and removed, leaving only conspicuous analysis results exceeding cut-off to be confirmed by complex and labour-intensive reference analyses.

After controlled oral administration of D,L-methadone solution (15-260 mg/day) in the context of a methadone-maintenance program, concentrations of methadone and 2-ethylidine-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenyl-l-pyrrolidine (EDDP), in head hair were determined (N=41), using a fully automated headspace solid-phase microextraction procedure in combination with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC/MS).Methadone was present in all samples in concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 13.29 ng/mg (mean 2.69±0.45 ng/mg). EDDP was also present in every sample in concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 2.17 ng/mg (mean 0.43±0.08). The concentration ratio methadone/EDDP was 7.5±5.7 in the proximal segments, but decreased to 4.8±1.4 in the distal segments. A statistically significant correlation between the intake dose and the methadone and EDDP concentrations in the subjects' hair could be established only in the proximal segments (r=0.913 for methadone and r=0.901 for EDDP), but not in the distal segments. In all, 131 segments analyzed, the correlation coefficient was r=0.760 for methadone and r=0.738 for EDDP. In comparison to the dose-concentration relationship reported in the literature, we found a better correlation with higher correlation coefficients especially in the proximal segments.However, owing to a broad distribution in the correlation between dosage and concentration, the determination of methadone and EDDP in hair holds only limited information about prior methadone administration.

High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is introduced for the quality control and authenticity assessment of beer in official food control. Measurements were performed using a 400-MHz NMR spectrometer using flow injection technology for automatic sample changing. Only degassing and addition of buffer (pH 5.6 in D2O for locking and 0.1% TSP for referencing) is required to prepare the beer samples. Differences in the spectral profiles of beers varying in type and origin were studied by principal component analysis (PCA), considering the spectrum to be a characteristic fingerprint. For the first time, the high throughput of a Flow-Injection NMR system allowed a comprehensive database of beer spectra for PCA classification to be established efficiently. Beers made with barley malt could be distinguished from those made with wheat malt. Clustering of beers from the same brewing sites was observed, as well as significant discrimination of beers with deteriorated quality. Using the partial least squares (PLS) method to correlate NMR spectra with results from reference methods, models for calculating the original gravity, ethanol and lactic acid were established. The results obtained suggest that NMR is a useful tool in the quality control of beer samples, since quantitative determination of essential compounds as well as chemometric classification are simultaneously possible. Compared to conventional methods, 1H NMR spectroscopy is faster and requires simpler sample preparation.

A fully automated procedure using alkaline hydrolysis and headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), followed by on-fiber derivatization and gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric (GC–MS) detection has been developed for determination of cannabinoids in hemp food samples. After addition of a deuterated internal standard, the sample was hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide and submitted to direct HS-SPME. After absorption of analytes for on-fiber derivatization, the fiber was placed directly into the headspace of a second vial containing N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide (MSTFA), before GC–MS analysis. Linearity was good for Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol, and cannabinol; regression coefficients were greater than 0.99. Depending on the characteristics of the matrix the detection limits obtained ranged between 0.01 and 0.17 mg kg−1 and the precision between 0.4 and 11.8%. In comparison with conventional liquid–liquid extraction this automated HS-SPME–GC–MS procedure is substantially faster. It is easy to perform, solvent-free, and sample quantities are minimal, yet it maintains the same sensitivity and reproducibility. The applicability was demonstrated by analysis of 30 hemp food samples. Cannabinoids were detected in all of the samples and it was possible to differentiate between drug-type and fiber-type Cannabis sativa L. In comparison with other studies relatively low THC concentrations between 0.01 and 15.53 mg kg−1 were determined.

The use of ion chromatography to determine anions (chloride, nitrate, and sulphate) for the characterisation of colourless spirits, such as vodka or white rum, is presented. After evaporation to remove the volatiles, the sample was injected directly into the ion chromatograph. The assay showed good precision, never exceeding 1.6% RSD. The analytical results of 51 samples under study reveal that, in particular, the adulteration of brand spirits can be proven by the method described.

Background Societies tend to accept much higher risks for voluntary behaviours, those based on individual decisions (for example, to smoke, to consume alcohol, or to ski), than for involuntary exposure such as exposure to risks in soil, drinking water or air. In high-income societies, an acceptable risk to those voluntarily engaging in a risky behaviour seems to be about one death in 1,000 on a lifetime basis. However, drinking more than 20 g pure alcohol per day over an adult lifetime exceeds a threshold of one in 100 deaths, based on a calculation from World Health Organization data of the odds in six European countries of dying from alcohol-attributable causes at different levels of drinking. Discussion The voluntary mortality risk of alcohol consumption exceeds the risks of other lifestyle risk factors. In addition, evidence shows that the involuntary risks resulting from customary alcohol consumption far exceed the acceptable threshold for other involuntary risks (such as those established by the World Health Organization or national environmental agencies), and would be judged as not acceptable. Alcohol’s exceptional status reflects vagaries of history, which have so far resulted in alcohol being exempted from key food legislation (no labelling of ingredients and nutritional information) and from international conventions governing all other psychoactive substances (both legal and illegal). This is along with special treatment of alcohol in the public health field, in part reflecting overestimation of its beneficial effect on ischaemic disease when consumed in moderation. Summary A much higher mortality risk from alcohol than from other risk factors is currently accepted by high income countries. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12916-014-0189-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Absinthe, a bitter spirit containing wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.), was banned at the beginning of the 20th century as consequence of its supposed unique adverse effects. After nearly century-long prohibition, absinthe has seen a resurgence after recent de-restriction in many European countries. This review provides information on the history of absinthe and one of its constituent, thujone. Medical and toxicological aspects experienced and discovered before the prohibition of absinthe are discussed in detail, along with their impact on the current situation. The only consistent conclusion that can be drawn from those 19th century studies about absinthism is that wormwood oil but not absinthe is a potent agent to cause seizures. Neither can it be concluded that the beverage itself was epileptogenic nor that the so-called absinthism can exactly be distinguished as a distinct syndrome from chronic alcoholism. The theory of a previous gross overestimation of the thujone content of absinthe may have been verified by a number of independent studies. Based on the current available evidence, thujone concentrations of both pre-ban and modern absinthes may not have been able to cause detrimental health effects other than those encountered in common alcoholism. Today, a questionable tendency of absinthe manufacturers can be ascertained that use the ancient theories of absinthism as a targeted marketing strategy to bring absinthe into the spheres of a legal drug-of-abuse. Misleading advertisements of aphrodisiac or psychotropic effects of absinthe try to re-establish absinthe's former reputation. In distinction from commercially manufactured absinthes with limited thujone content, a health risk to consumers is the uncontrolled trade of potentially unsafe herbal products such as absinthe essences that are readily available over the internet.

Lactose-free milk and milk substitutes based on soy, oat, or rice are widely marketed to lactose-intolerant consumers. In this study, 400 MHz 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used in the context of food surveillance to validate the “lactose-free” claims labeled on these beverages. Using soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) analysis, a qualitative classification according to the type of beverage (lactose-containing milk, lactose-free milk, oat, soy, and rice milk substitutes) was possible. Furthermore, quantitative data regarding nutrition labeling parameters were predicted from the same spectra using partial least squares (PLS) regression. The models obtained for carbohydrate, sugars, protein, fat, saturates, and energy (R 2 = 0.89–0.97) were suitable for a screening analysis. Using nicotinamide as an internal standard, quantitative determination of lactose with a detection limit of 0.03 g.L–1 was also possible using direct integration of the signals (linear range, 0.05–50.0 g.L−1, R > 0.999). The relative standard deviations for the lactose-free milks were below 10%. NMR spectroscopy was judged to be suitable for the rapid routine analysis of milk and milk substitutes.