Analysis of
contaminants in foodstuffs
Contaminants are not intentionally added to food. They are impurities originating from different sources, for example from environmental influences.
The most important parameters of this group include mycotoxins, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), acrylamide and furan.
Even natural plant constituents are not always harmless for humans – prominent examples are pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Information about pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been an important topic in plant foods and honey for years.
They enter foodstuffs such as tea mixtures, herbs, spices as well as pollen and honey via PA-containing weeds.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are substances that are formed by plants and serve as protection against feeding. However, these substances can be harmful to health if ingested and are therefore undesirable.
Feel free to read more on the topic of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in our newsletters: