PROGRAM - 7th International Symposium on RECENT ADVANCES IN FOOD ANALYSIS (RAFA)

Significance of the Topic

The 7th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA 2015) brought together scientists, regulatory experts and industry stakeholders to address the critical need for innovative analytical solutions in food safety, quality and authenticity. Against a backdrop of increasingly complex global food supply chains, enhanced analytical methods help to identify contaminants, verify provenance and combat fraud—thus safeguarding public health and ensuring consumer trust.

Objectives and Symposium Overview

RAFA 2015, held November 3–6 in Prague, aimed to:

• Present the latest breakthroughs in chromatographic, spectrometric, spectroscopic and omics technologies for food analysis.
• Promote knowledge exchange on emerging contaminants, natural toxins, allergens and nanoparticles.
• Highlight regulatory frameworks (Horizon 2020, EU Reference Laboratories, FAO/IAEA) and best practices in method validation and quality assurance.
• Foster collaboration through workshops, vendor seminars and networking events.

Methodological Approaches and Instrumentation

RAFA 2015 showcased a broad array of cutting-edge techniques and instrumentation:

• Gas Chromatography coupled with High-Resolution and Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC–HRMS, GC–MS/MS)
• Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS/MS, UHPLC–MS, LC×LC, LC–QTOF, Orbitrap)
• Vibrational Spectroscopy (IR, NIR, Raman) integrated with Chemometrics
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Ambient Ionization Methods (DESI, DART, REIMS)
• Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry for enhanced separation and structural elucidation
• Micro- and Nano-systems (lab-on-a-chip, immunosensors, photonic biosensors)
• Field-deployable techniques (portable GC–MS, handheld spectroscopy, rapid immunoassays)

Instrumentation Used

A comprehensive exhibition featured leading manufacturers and laboratories, providing hands-on access to:

• Sample preparation platforms: QuEChERS, TurboFlow, Pressurized Liquid Extraction
• Analytical systems: Thermo, Agilent, Shimadzu, SCIEX, Waters, Bruker, PerkinElmer
• Detection modules: multi-element ICP–MS, vacuum UV spectrometry, charged aerosol detection

Key Themes and Discussion

Sessions and workshops addressed critical challenges and innovations:

• Food Authenticity & Fraud: Spectroscopic fingerprints, stable isotope analysis, non-targeted profiling, chemometric classification.
• Contaminant and Residue Analysis: Multi-residue screening of pesticides, veterinary drugs, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals and mycotoxins.
• Natural Toxins & Nanoparticles: Occurrence and risk assessment of mycotoxins, marine biotoxins, plant toxins and engineered nanoparticles in food and packaging.
• Omics Approaches: Proteomics, metabolomics and flavoromics for in-depth quality assessment and toxicity prediction.
• Regulatory and Capacity Building: EU Reference Laboratory experiences, Horizon 2020 funding and FAO/IAEA laboratory training for developing countries.

Practical Benefits and Applications

Participants gained practical insights to:

• Implement robust screening and confirmatory workflows tailored to complex matrices.
• Optimize sample preparation and clean-up for high-throughput laboratories.
• Select fit-for-purpose methods balancing sensitivity, specificity and cost.
• Leverage portable and rapid techniques for on-site testing and border control.
• Stay ahead of emerging fraud tactics with real-time ambient ionization and advanced data analytics.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

RAFA 2015 highlighted key directions shaping food analysis:

• Integration of high-throughput omics data with smart chemometric models for predictive safety assessment.
• Advances in miniaturized and automated bio- and immunosensors for rapid allergen and toxin detection.
• Standardization of nanoparticle analysis protocols in food and packaging matrices.
• Expansion of ambient and surface-based MS imaging for spatial mapping of contaminants.
• Deployment of AI-driven decision support tools for regulatory oversight and supply chain transparency.

Conclusion

The symposium underscored the pivotal role of analytical chemistry in addressing evolving food safety and authenticity challenges. By combining advanced instrumentation, standardized methodologies and collaborative networks, the field is well-positioned to protect consumer health and support sustainable food systems worldwide.