<h4><strong>Traceability in the 19th century&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Once a dairymaid bought one kilo of flour from the local shop. Next day she returned to sell one kilo of butter to the shopkeeper. He then complained that 50 grams of the kilo were missing.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>Oh that is odd, the dairymaid said, to get the correct weight I used the kilo of flour you sold to me yesterday to weigh the butter!&nbsp;</p></blockquote><h4><strong>Traceability today&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Traceability is the ability to trace, for example, the ancestors of a person or the origin of a product. The word can be derived from the Latin tractus = drawn or the verb trahere = to draw.&nbsp;</p><p>Traceability can refer to documentation (e.g. a sampling procedure), a laboratory, analyst or method. But as in ISO/IEC 17025, this leaflet deals with traceability of measurement results. That is, measurement results have to be traceable to the metrological<sup>1</sup> references <strong>used</strong>. To be specific, we use the term <i><strong>metrological traceability</strong></i>.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>The current VIM<sup>2</sup> definition of metrological <strong>traceability is: </strong>property of a measurement result whereby the result can be related to a <strong>reference</strong> through a documented unbroken <strong>chain of calibrations</strong> each contributing to the measurement uncertainty<sup>2</sup>&nbsp;</p></blockquote><h4><strong>The references&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>Ideally the <strong>references</strong> should be the values of national and international standards expressed in SI units. The traceability is realised through chains of <strong>calibrations</strong>, the traceability chain. For temperature and many other physical quantities such as mass and time, the traceability is easily established.&nbsp;</p><p>In addition, in chemistry the working standards are substances with defined purity, solutions of pure substances and matrix reference materials.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Eurachem_Metrological_Traceability_of_Analytical_Results_2_b809be57bc.jpg" alt="Douglas Hasbun: An “analyst” not knowing the traceability of his/her values for volume, time, mass, calibration solution concentration and temperature." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Eurachem_Metrological_Traceability_of_Analytical_Results_2_b809be57bc.jpg 157w," sizes="100vw" width="852" height="847"></p><h4><strong>Temperature example - Traceability to SI&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The temperature of a sample can be traced back through a <strong>chain of calibrations</strong> to the <strong>reference</strong>, an SI traceable value of temperature at 0 °C.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Eurachem_Metrological_Traceability_of_Analytical_Results_3_9933347331.jpg" alt="Douglas Hasbun: Temperature example - Traceability to SI" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Eurachem_Metrological_Traceability_of_Analytical_Results_3_9933347331.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="926" height="432"></p><h4><strong>Example – Mercury in tuna fish&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>A measurement result (mass fraction) obtained for mercury in a tuna fish sample is 4.03 ± 0.11 mg/kg. The result is reported as total Hg on dry weight basis (105 ºC, 12 h determined on a separate sample portion) and the measurement uncertainty is reported with a 95 % level of confidence (coverage factor, k=2). In this case mercury was determined with a mercury analyser (cold vapour atomic spectroscopy) after a microwave digestion.&nbsp;</p><p>The samples are weighed on a balance with a calibration certificate relating the weight measured to the SI unit of mass (kg).&nbsp;</p><p>The acid digest is diluted in a volumetric flask where the manufacturer documents the traceability of the volume of the flask to a national standard.&nbsp;</p><p><i><strong>The calibration curve was prepared using a CRM (certified reference material) – a mercury standard with a certificate stating a quantity value of 0.998 ± 0.005 mg/L (k=2) and with traceability to pure mercury.&nbsp;</strong></i></p><p>The method is validated using an appropriate matrix CRM with a total mercury mass fraction of 1.97 ± 0.04 mg/kg (<i>k</i>=2). The purpose of the validation is to check the method performance.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Eurachem_Metrological_Traceability_of_Analytical_Results_4_1ef2bc4b97.jpg" alt="Douglas Hasbun: An “analyst” knowing the traceability of his/her values for volume, time, mass, calibration solution concentration and temperature" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Eurachem_Metrological_Traceability_of_Analytical_Results_4_1ef2bc4b97.jpg 119w," sizes="100vw" width="808" height="1062"></p><h4><strong>How can a laboratory demonstrate metrological traceability?&nbsp;</strong></h4><p>The evidence required by the laboratory to demonstrate traceability for the mercury result is shown below:&nbsp;</p><ol><li>concentration of the Hg solution – a certificate for the CRM solution;&nbsp;</li><li>mass of sample – calibration certificate for the balance;&nbsp;</li><li>volume of volumetric flask – calibration certificate of the manufacturer;&nbsp;</li><li>drying temperature – calibration of oven temperature;&nbsp;</li><li>digestion conditions – calibration of e.g. temperature;&nbsp;</li><li>drying time – ordinary clock or stopwatch&nbsp;</li></ol><p>Point 1 would need special attention to assure the quality and traceability for the calibration standard. Traceability for points 2, 3 and 6 is easily achieved with adequate uncertainty using commercial equipment.&nbsp;</p><p>Points 4 and 5 need additional attention by the lab.&nbsp;</p><p>The use of the matrix CRM in the method validation is vital but not part of the traceability chain, since it is not used for calibration. If this CRM is used for recovery correction it should be part of the traceability chain.&nbsp;</p><h4><strong>Measurement quality&nbsp;</strong></h4><ul><li>Method <strong>validation</strong> demonstrates that the method (set of conditions) used in a particular laboratory at a certain time was fit for purpose and all significant effects were identified.&nbsp;</li><li>Calibration of critical equipment completes the metrological<strong> traceability </strong>chains.</li><li><strong>Measurement uncertainty </strong>is estimated from the method validation and the traceability.&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Quality control </strong>(internal and external) assures that the measurement results (including uncertainty) are of the same quality as at the time of validation.</li></ul><h4><strong>Conclusion</strong></h4><p>The <strong>traceability of a measurement result </strong>refers to <strong>metrological traceability</strong> as defined by VIM. It relates the result to SI units or other agreed standards/references.&nbsp;</p><p>Traceability is essential for comparability of results and is a requirement of ISO/IEC 17025. Traceability is easily achieved following good laboratory practice.</p>

Metrological Traceability of Analytical Results

<h3><strong>How Deconvolution Output Files Support Library Searching, Method Validation, and Sample Comparison</strong></h3><p>Electron ionization (EI) GC-MS library searching has traditionally been viewed as a straightforward process: acquire a chromatogram, search spectra against a library, and identify compounds. However, modern NIST software performs a much more sophisticated workflow behind the scenes.</p><p>During processing, NIST creates an <strong>Identification Folder</strong> containing a collection of intermediate files that document every stage of chromatographic interpretation—from the original total ion chromatogram through component detection, spectral deconvolution, and final library searching. Although most users never open these files, they provide valuable insight into how identifications are generated and may even serve as the foundation for advanced comparison workflows.</p><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/paper/33364"><strong>You can download PDF Handout for this guide HERE</strong></a></p></blockquote><h3><strong>Why Does NIST Generate These Files?</strong></h3><p>When processing low-resolution EI GC-MS data, the software performs much more than simple spectrum matching.</p><p>Instead, it follows a sequential workflow:</p><ul><li>Raw chromatographic data acquisition</li><li>Detection of chromatographic components</li><li>Separation (deconvolution) of overlapping spectra</li><li>Generation of one clean spectrum for each chemical component</li><li>Library searching against the NIST database</li><li>Reporting of final identifications</li></ul><p>Rather than storing only the final results, NIST saves intermediate processing files that document each stage of the workflow. Together, these files form a complete processing record and improve both transparency and reproducibility.</p><h3><strong>The Low-Resolution EI GC-MS Processing Workflow</strong></h3><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/James_Little_The_Low_Resolution_EI_GC_MS_Processing_Workflow_0bc2c2b96f.jpg" alt="James Little: The Low-Resolution EI GC-MS Processing Workflow" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_James_Little_The_Low_Resolution_EI_GC_MS_Processing_Workflow_0bc2c2b96f.jpg 108w," sizes="100vw" width="430" height="622"></p><p>Additional files (.RUN and .LOG) preserve processing parameters and document every computational step performed during analysis.</p><h3><strong>Understanding Each File</strong></h3><h4><strong>1. .TIC – Total Ion Chromatogram</strong></h4><p>The <strong>TIC file</strong> contains the complete chromatographic signal collected during the GC-MS analysis.</p><p>It represents the familiar chromatogram displayed in the software interface and serves as the starting point for all subsequent processing.</p><h5><strong>Purpose</strong></h5><ul><li>Stores the raw chromatographic signal</li><li>Displays detector response versus retention time</li><li>Provides the visual overview of the analysis</li></ul><p>Although essential for evaluating chromatography, the TIC alone does not distinguish overlapping compounds. That task is handled during deconvolution.</p><h4><strong>2. .ELU – Component Detection</strong></h4><p>Once the chromatogram has been acquired, NIST identifies potential chromatographic components.</p><p>The <strong>ELU file</strong> records this information.</p><p>Typical information includes:</p><ul><li>Peak start and end times</li><li>Peak apex positions</li><li>Elution profiles</li><li>Grouped ion traces</li></ul><p>This stage determines where individual compounds are likely present before spectral deconvolution begins.</p><h4><strong>3. .FIN – Deconvoluted Spectra</strong></h4><p>The <strong>FIN file</strong> is arguably the most important intermediate product.</p><p>Rather than storing every acquired scan, NIST creates one clean spectrum for each resolved chromatographic component.</p><p>Each spectrum has:</p><ul><li>Reduced interference from co-eluting compounds</li><li>Cleaner fragment ion distributions</li><li>Improved suitability for library searching</li></ul><p>These spectra become the actual inputs used during library matching.</p><h4><strong>4. .TSV – Tabulated Results</strong></h4><p>The <strong>TSV file</strong> contains the processed results in a tab-delimited format suitable for export and further analysis.</p><p>Typical contents include:</p><ul><li>Retention times</li><li>Compound identifications</li><li>Match factors</li><li>Peak intensities</li><li>Library search results</li></ul><p>Because the information is already organized into tables, this file is particularly useful for reporting and external data analysis.</p><h4><strong>5. .RUN – Processing Parameters</strong></h4><p>The <strong>RUN file</strong> documents the analytical method used during processing.</p><p>Typical information includes:</p><ul><li>Deconvolution settings</li><li>Peak detection thresholds</li><li>Library search options</li><li>Processing parameters</li></ul><p>Maintaining these settings is essential for reproducible analyses and consistent comparison between datasets.</p><h4><strong>6. .LOG – Processing Record</strong></h4><p>The <strong>LOG file</strong> serves as the computational audit trail.</p><p>It records:</p><ul><li>Processing activity</li><li>Number of spectra analyzed</li><li>Library search operations</li><li>Timing information</li></ul><p>In the example shown in the presentation, the log indicates that:</p><ul><li>91 spectra were processed</li><li>Approximately 178,000 library comparisons were performed</li></ul><p>This confirms successful completion of both deconvolution and library searching.</p><h3><strong>A Key Concept: NIST Does Not Search Every Scan</strong></h3><p>One of the most important insights presented is that NIST does <strong>not</strong> perform library searches on every individual mass spectrum acquired during a GC-MS run.</p><p>Instead, the software first performs spectral deconvolution to isolate chemically meaningful components.</p><p>Only these cleaned component spectra are submitted for library searching.</p><p>This dramatically reduces computational complexity while simultaneously improving identification accuracy by minimizing interference from overlapping chromatographic peaks.</p><h3><strong>Can These Files Be Used for Sample Comparison?</strong></h3><p>Beyond routine identification, the presentation highlights an interesting possibility: using the generated output files for comparative analyses between samples.</p><p>Among the available files, the <strong>TSV file</strong> is the most practical starting point because it already contains structured analytical results.</p><p>Potential comparisons include:</p><ul><li>Compounds present in one sample but absent in another</li><li>Relative peak intensity differences</li><li>Changes in compound abundance</li><li>New or missing deconvoluted components</li><li>Differences in library match scores</li></ul><p>For more advanced investigations:</p><ul><li>FIN files enable direct comparison of deconvoluted spectra.</li><li>ELU files allow comparison of chromatographic behavior and peak shapes.</li><li>TIC files provide an overall chromatographic overview but are less suitable for compound-level comparisons.</li></ul><h3><strong>Opportunities for Advanced Data Analysis</strong></h3><p>Because these files contain structured intermediate processing data, they may also support custom computational workflows outside the NIST environment.</p><p>Possible applications include:</p><ul><li>Principal Component Analysis (PCA)</li><li>Batch quality control</li><li>Good vs. bad sample classification</li><li>Manufacturing process monitoring</li><li>Trend analysis across multiple GC-MS runs</li><li>Custom statistical or machine learning workflows</li></ul><p>Although NIST itself does not perform these analyses, the exported files provide a valuable foundation for external software and user-developed applications.</p><h3><strong>Best Practices</strong></h3><p>When working with NIST Identification Folder files:</p><ul><li>Use the <strong>TIC</strong> file for evaluating chromatographic performance.</li><li>Examine the <strong>ELU</strong> file to understand component detection.</li><li>Rely on the <strong>FIN</strong> file for studying deconvoluted spectra.</li><li>Use the <strong>TSV</strong> file for reporting, exporting, and comparative studies.</li><li>Preserve the <strong>RUN</strong> file to ensure reproducibility.</li><li>Review the <strong>LOG</strong> file whenever processing quality needs verification.</li></ul><p>Together, these files provide complete documentation of the identification workflow and offer far more information than the final library search results alone.</p><h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3><p>The Identification Folder generated during NIST low-resolution EI GC-MS processing is much more than a collection of temporary files. It represents a comprehensive record of the entire analytical workflow, from raw chromatographic data through deconvolution and library searching. Understanding the role of each file helps users interpret results with greater confidence, troubleshoot processing steps, and explore advanced applications such as sample comparison, chemometric analysis, and custom data processing workflows. Rather than being hidden implementation details, these files can become valuable resources for improving transparency, reproducibility, and analytical insight in GC-MS data analysis.</p>

Raw Data Files for EI Low Resolution in the Identifications Folder

<p><strong>Scientific conferences are defined not only by the quality of the research presented but also by the expertise and vision of their invited speakers. RAFA 2026 brings together internationally recognized scientists from academia, industry, and regulatory organizations to address some of today's most pressing challenges in food analysis and food safety. Their lectures will explore cutting-edge analytical techniques, emerging contaminants, food authenticity, artificial intelligence, high-resolution mass spectrometry, allergen risk assessment, PFAS, microplastics, mycotoxins, and many other topics shaping the future of food analysis. This overview introduces the distinguished invited speakers and the scientific highlights they will present at RAFA 2026.</strong></p><h3><strong>Registration</strong></h3><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/"><strong>Register to attend RAFA 2026!</strong></a></p></blockquote><h4><strong>Registration Fees</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Regular registration (Until 30 September, 2026):</strong> € 855</li><li><strong>Late registration (From 1 October, 2026):</strong> € 955</li><li><strong>Student rate* (From 1 July, 2026):</strong> € 605</li></ul><p><i>* The proof of student status (e.g. copy of a student identify card) is requested as an attachment of the registration form.</i></p><h5><strong>The regular registration fee will include:</strong></h5><ul><li>Attendance at all scientific sessions, workshops, seminars, vendor seminars and other satellite events</li><li>Access to the poster and exhibition area</li><li>Conference kit (name badge, conference bag, conference documents, certificate of participation, certificate of presentation on request)</li><li>Final programme</li><li>E-Book of Abstracts</li><li>Coffee breaks</li><li>Buffet luncheons</li><li>Welcome drink</li></ul><p>In the registration form you can r<strong>egister free of charge for the welcome drink</strong> and you can also order <strong>ticket(s) for the conference dinner (€ 85).</strong></p><p><i>Please note that your registration is firm when your payment has been received.</i></p><h3><strong>Abstract submission</strong></h3><blockquote><p class="cke-user_style-important"><strong>👉</strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://rafa.easyevent.eu/tickets/"><strong>Submit your ABSTRACT HERE!</strong></a></p><p>In order to submit an abstract, you must <strong>first register to attend RAFA 2026</strong>. <strong>After registration</strong> you will receive an <strong>access to the Member section </strong>where you can <strong>submit your abstract(s).</strong></p></blockquote><p>&nbsp;After successful submission of your abstract you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt of submitted abstract via e-mail. If it will not be delivered within a few minutes after submission of your abstract please check at first your spam box-mail and then contact us at <strong>RAFA2026@vscht.cz</strong>.</p><h4><strong>Important notice:</strong></h4><blockquote><p><strong>1 registered participant can submit no more than 2 abstracts.</strong></p></blockquote><p>To apply for a young scientist’s oral presentation, as an indication please respect the rule that you should be born in 1991 or later.</p><p>The <strong>text of the abstract </strong>should be<strong> limited to 3000 characters including spaces</strong>. Tables and pictures are not allowed.</p><h3><strong>Program</strong></h3><h4><strong>Invited Speakers</strong></h4><h5><strong>It takes a small step to fake food but a giant leap to authenticate</strong></h5><ul><li>Nicolai Zederkopff Ballin from Danish Veterinary, Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Agency, Glostrup, Denmark.</li></ul><p>It takes a small step to fake food but a giant leap to authenticate”: Exploring unresolved issues in food authentication. Food authentication includes not just analytical chemistry, but also nomenclature, validation procedures and reporting of results. These aspects have attracted increasing focus, but setting limits in food authentication has been largely absent. It is therefore time to discuss how to set maximum tolerable levels to enable consistent and comparable results in food authentication.</p><h5><strong>Unravelling the mysteries of modified mycotoxins</strong></h5><ul><li>Franz Berthiller from BOKU University, Vienna, Austria</li></ul><p>Modified mycotoxins are altered forms of mycotoxins, mainly formed by living plants on the field. They are not regulated, yet may contribute to toxicity. The presentations focuses on metabolites of fumonisin B1 and ochratoxin A, formed by maize plants.</p><h5><strong>From bitter to better: Fixing off-flavors in plant proteins</strong></h5><ul><li>Corinna Dawid from Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany</li></ul><p>Uncovering the chemistry behind flavor: the presentation explores how Sensomics and NMR interaction studies reveal the complex interplay between aroma compounds, taste perception, and the polymer matrix in wine.</p><h5><strong>Imaging food: the power and the limits of seeing molecules in food</strong></h5><ul><li>Laura Righetti from Wageningen University &amp; Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands</li></ul><p>Imaging techniques enable ‘seeing’ molecules in food and elucidating mechanisms of accumulation and transformation, e.g. during processing. However, their application to food and contaminants remains limited. This talk discusses both instrumental constraints and future opportunities.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/RAFA_Laura_Righetti_e7bdda9942.jpg" alt="RAFA: Laura Righetti" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_RAFA_Laura_Righetti_e7bdda9942.jpg 157w," sizes="100vw" width="900" height="895"></p><h5><strong>Analysis of critical vitamins: novel structures and novel sources</strong></h5><ul><li>Michael Rychlik Lab from Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany</li></ul><p>Growing population and dietary shifts lead to inadequate intake of folate, B6, and B12. The presentation introduces novel analytical methods (stable isotope dilution assays), identifies new sources, and assesses risks of certain dietary patterns.</p><h5><strong>Sample-to-solution approaches for natural toxin analysis at the point of need</strong></h5><ul><li>Gert Salentijn from Wageningen University &amp; Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands</li></ul><p>Taking analysis out of the lab is not trivial. Going beyond merely translating procedures from the lab to an out-of-lab setting, it requires a fundamentally different perspective on how we develop and deploy the tools to provide information at the point-of-need. In this, both the envisioned test, as well as the envisioned user are critical, and all the steps, from sample to solution, need to be considered.</p><h5><strong>EFSA’s rapid risk assessment of cereulide in infants</strong></h5><ul><li>Hans Steinkellner from European Food Safety Authority, Parma, Italy</li></ul><p>The EU has established procedures for rapid risk assessment in urgent situations. EFSA’s assessment of cereulide in infants demonstrated its ability to provide robust scientific support within a short timeframe during a crisis.</p><h5><strong>Comprehensive strategies to unmask masked mycotoxins: from food matrix to gut microbiota</strong></h5><ul><li>Milena Stranska from University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia</li></ul><p>The lecture will address non-extractable modified mycotoxins and their biological relevance. Bioaccessibility will be assessed using in vitro digestion models with diverse fecal microbiota (toddlers, children, adults) and bioavailability using Caco-2-based intestinal models. High-resolution mass spectrometry will reveal biotransformation pathways and cellular metabolism of free and modified mycotoxins.</p><h5><strong>Food allergen risk assessment: Past, present, future</strong></h5><ul><li>Ben Remington from Remington Consulting Group B.V., Utrecht, the Netherlands &amp; University of Nebraska, USA</li></ul><p>Food allergy and allergen management are global public health issues, and consumer protection depends on transparent and trustworthy labelling. While 30 years of scientific advances show that low level exposures, or reference doses, are unlikely to trigger reactions in most allergic individuals, harmonized and globally aligned regulations are still needed to promote consistent allergen risk assessment and labelling decisions. This presentation will discuss the landscape of allergen risk assessment, global policy developments, current research and future needs in the area.</p><h5><strong>Unmasking hidden adulteration in honey: Strategies for detecting and characterizing honeys produced from sugar-fed colonies</strong></h5><ul><li>Oscar Nuñez Burcio from University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain</li></ul><p>From hive to jar, not all honey tells the same story. This presentation addresses hidden adulteration associated with sugar-fed bee colonies, highlighting implications for authenticity, production practices, and the need for a more precise characterization of honey to ensure consumer trust.</p><h5><strong>Analytical and toxicological methods for safety of food contact materials</strong></h5><ul><li>Erich Leitner from Graz University of Technology, Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Graz, Austria</li></ul><p>Food packaging plays a critical role in protecting and preserving food throughout the supply chain. All packaging materials intended to come into contact with food must comply with strict EU safety rules. Due to increased complexity of packaging solutions, lowering legal limits and increasing numbers of target compounds, we also have to adapt the strategies used to verify and guarantee the safety of these materials.</p><h5><strong>Data-driven strategies to reduce complexity in non-target HRMS analysis of food samples</strong></h5><ul><li>Anneli Kruve from Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden</li></ul><p>LC/HRMS based non-target screening can detect hundreds to thousands of chemical features in complex food and environmental samples. Investigating all of these in detail is practically impossible, so which ones to focus on? Novel computational tools developed in computational mass spectrometry allow predicting the toxicity and concentration of the detected chemical features even if these have not yet been fully structurally elucidated. Combining these predictions enables us to focus on the chemical features possessing high risk.</p><p><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/RAFA_Anneli_Kruve_5119012e5d.jpg" alt="RAFA: Anneli Kruve" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_RAFA_Anneli_Kruve_5119012e5d.jpg 155w," sizes="100vw" width="899" height="900"></p><h5><strong>Role of AI in the identification of emerging food systems risks</strong></h5><ul><li>Ákos Bernard Jóźwiak from Syreon Research Institute, Budapest, Hungary</li></ul><p>AI-assisted evidence synthesis – spanning curated scientific evidence, exposome data, and network analysis – is the backbone of next-generation emerging chemical food safety risk identification, enabling earlier signals and more resilient surveillance systems.</p><h5><strong>Challenges of microplastics analysis in the context of food safety</strong></h5><ul><li>Dorte Herzke from Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway</li></ul><p>Food and food packaging are major sources of micro- and nanoplastic exposure. Plastics used in processing, storage, and packaging can release particles through heat, abrasion, and degradation. Small particles below 2 µm may cross gut barriers and carry chemicals, highlighting the need for robust and sensitive measurement methods.</p><h5><strong>Never-ending analytical challenges in PFAS analysis of food</strong></h5><ul><li>Darina Dvořáková from University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia</li></ul><p>Exploring and monitoring PFAS in food requires advanced strategies. Combining targeted, suspect, and non-target HRMS analysis, determination of total fluorine and sum parameters, and novel sensors provides new insights into PFAS occurrence and supports food safety monitoring.</p><h5><strong>An overview of the latest scientific knowledge on process contaminants in food for appropriate risk management measures</strong></h5><ul><li>Thierry Delatour from Nestlé Research, Lausanne, Switzerland.</li></ul><p>Recent scientific findings related to acrylamide and furans formation, occurrence and analytical methods in food provide important insights for risk management.</p>

Invited Speakers at RAFA 2026 Symposium

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RAFA provides an overview of contemporary trends in ANALYTICAL & BIOANALYTICAL STRATEGIES IN FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY CONTROL and discusses CHALLENGES / NOVEL APPROACHES IN FOOD AND NATURAL PRODUCTS ANALYSIS.

Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA)

Eurachem is a European network promoting international traceability of chemical measurements and good analytical practice. It provides expert guidance, supports method validation, uncertainty evaluation, proficiency testing, and facilitates discussion on technical and policy issues in analytical quality.

Eurachem

My main interest is the identification of organic compounds by mass spectrometry in organic mixtures.

James Little/Mass Spec Interpretation Services

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Invited Speakers at RAFA 2026 Symposium

Raw Data Files for EI Low Resolution in the Identifications Folder

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