A comprehensive overview of emerging techniques and chemometrics for authenticity and traceability of animal-derived food.

ABSTRACT

Authenticity and origin tracing of animal-derived food are particularly necessary due to various kinds of food fraud such as adulteration, counterfeiting, substitution and intentional mislabeling. This review focuses on the current research status of animal-derived food from the aspects of geographical origin, feeding ingredients and systems, adulteration of substitutes, and physical and chemical properties. The methods and statistical models involved in the research and their advantages and disadvantages are summarized. Stable isotope ratio analysis and element analysis are the most extensive used geographical traceability techniques. Spectroscopic techniques have the advantages of quick response, low cost and non-destructiveness. Instrument technology combined with chemometrics is the key method for origin traceability and authenticity of animal-derived food. In addition, there is a new trend of origin traceability by analyzing inedible parts of animal-derived food. This review intends to give a broad but comprehensive understanding in authenticity and geographical origin traceability of animal-derived food.