Scientists at Reading Scientific Services Ltd are developing novel laboratory techniques that will help to catch an old breed of con-man – the natural remedy fraudster. More details will be presented at a meeting for manufacturers of natural products to be hosted by RSSL on Friday, June 16th.
RSSL has been offering services in authenticating natural products such as fruit juice, coffee, tea etc for several years. However, the company recently began working alongside the Health Food Manufacturers Association to develop tests that can detect the adulteration or imitation of propolis.
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Propolis is a resin extracted from trees by honey bees and it is used in the hive to protect against infection. Some people believe it also has health benefits and propolis is now a popular ‘natural’ remedy claimed to help treat a variety of complaints.
Unfortunately, like many natural raw ingredients, propolis could be a target for the fraudsters. It’s a case of buyer beware. Manufacturers cannot take it for granted that the ingredients they buy are 100% pure or a 100% genuine. However, RSSL’s new tests should help to find the problem batches and enable reputable manufacturers to keep the highest standards.
RSSL’s analysis looks for unique chemical markers in the product and checks their relative concentrations to see whether they are within acceptable limits.
“The tests we’ve developed to check the authenticity and purity of propolis are similar to those we have been using for years to confirm the authenticity of fruit juices,” says Dr Andrew Lea. “The challenge has been to decide which chemical markers to look for as proof of the product’s authenticity.”
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By GlobalDataThe RSSL team is also looking to develop testing services for other natural products, such as St John’s Wort, echinacea and evening primrose oil. “As health foods and natural remedies increase in popularity, so they will come under extra scrutiny. Although the dodgy side-show salesman is a thing of the past, consumers still require protection. Authenticity tests are required to ensure that manufacturers are able to purchase genuine raw materials, and that consumers can buy exactly what the product label claims.”
Notes:
1) RSSL is an independent multi-disciplinary laboratory mainly serving the food, drink, healthcare and pharmaceutical indusutries.
2) Authenticity testing is one of several analytical services offered to the natural products sector, alongside formulation, sensory analysis, mood and performance testing, GM-free verification, etc.
3) The Natural Products meeting on June 16th, 2000, features speakers from the Health Food Manufacturers Association, Medicines Control Agency, University of Reading, and RSSL.
Press contact:
Graeme Coulam
19 Ashton Place
Kintbury
Hungerford
Berks, RG17 9XS.
Tel/fax : +44 (0)1488 657083 Fax : +44 (0)1488 608147
email: gc.insider-dealing@lineone.net
RSSL contact:
Jacinta Murphy
RSSL
Lord Zuckerman Research Centre
PO Box 234
Whiteknights
Reading
Berks, RG6 6LA.
Tel : +44 (0)118 986 8541 Fax : +44 (0)118 986 8932
email : custserv@rssl.co.uk
