INDIAN FOOD SURAKSHAA(SAFETY) APPLICATION BOOK

Importance of the Topic

Food safety in India faces significant challenges as governmental tests since 2011 have shown 13% failure in packaged products. Recent crises involving lead and undeclared additives underscore the need for rapid, reliable analytical methods to protect public health and brand reputation.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application book aims to guide Indian food testing laboratories in developing, extending, and validating new analytical methods for a broad range of contaminants and additives. It presents Waters workflows and case studies across multiple matrices, targeting compliance with FSSAI regulations.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Key software and hardware tools include:

• MassLynx MS Software with Application Managers: IntelliStart, QuanOptimize, Quanpedia, RADAR
• DisQuE dispersive sample preparation (QuEChERS) and Oasis PRiME SPE devices
• ACQUITY UPLC systems coupled with detectors: Xevo series MS/MS, QDa low-resolution MS, fluorescence detector, PDA detector
• LC Multiresidue Pesticide Standards Kit for streamlined standards management

Method validation follows ISO 17025 and Codex guidelines, with quality control via accreditation, flexible scope, control charts, and proficiency testing.

Key Results and Discussion

A range of application notes demonstrate robust performance:

• Multi-residue pesticide screening in grains, vegetables, and beverages with limits down to 1–50 ppb and run times under 20 minutes
• Rapid mycotoxin quantification in cereals and animal feed, including immunoaffinity cleanup and UPLC-MS/MS confirmation
• Detection of veterinary drug residues in milk and meat using SPE cleanup and MS/MS with matrix interference monitoring
• Analysis of synthetic and prohibited dyes in spices and seafood via UPLC chromatography and targeted MS detection
• Consolidated assays for vitamins and additives in beverages using UPLC-PDA and low-resolution MS

Benefits and Practical Applications

These workflows deliver:

• High throughput with reduced sample preparation and fast turnarounds
• Comprehensive multi-class analysis and method consolidation
• Regulatory compliance and support for laboratory accreditation
• Enhanced sensitivity, reproducibility, and ease of extension to new matrices

Future Trends and Opportunities

Emerging directions include automated and AI-driven method development, expansion of compound databases, integration of high-resolution MS, and remote laboratory monitoring to further accelerate food safety testing.

Conclusion

Waters advanced analytical platforms and workflows offer food testing laboratories in India a complete solution for timely and compliant multi-residue and additive analysis, supporting public health and industry reputation.

Applied Instrumentation

• MassLynx MS Software (IntelliStart, QuanOptimize, Quanpedia, RADAR)
• ACQUITY UPLC H-Class and I-Class, ACQUITY Arc UHPLC
• Xevo TQ-S, Xevo TQD, QDa Detector, Fluorescence Detector, PDA eλ Detector
• DisQuE QuEChERS kits, Oasis PRiME SPE plates, LC Multiresidue Pesticide Standards Kit