Speedy acrylamide analysis

With growing awareness of the problem of acrylamide in processed foods, German company Retsch is coming to the fore with its two testing systems, one for fatty foods, the other for defatted and degreased foods.

Since acrylamide is not distributed homogeneously in foods, the samples have to be perfectly homogenised before analysis. Many current test procedures have mentioned the use of the Retsch Grindomix GM 200, which is for fatty products such as crisps, French-Fries, cookies and the Retsch Ultra-Centrifugal Mill ZM 100 which is used for defatted and degreased products such as rusks and crisp breads.

Acrylamide is generated by excessively high baking temperatures used on foods like crisp bread, French-Fries, rusk, chips and cookies. It is known to be a neuro-toxic, carcinogenic and genome-affecting substance. At the present time research work by scientists is still at the very early stages, so long-term effects cannot yet be fully determined.

For this reason a continuous, fast and effective food testing programme is of the utmost importance. To achieve this goal, efficient and rapid sample preparation is an essential step for food producers working in fields where the risk of acrylamide is high.

The company says that the use of its testing devices, which are able to process food samples with varying properties in the fastest possible time, will help ensure that any testing programme for acrylamide is both efficient and reliable.

Due to their compact design and simple operation, the mills are said to be suitable for applications in food and chemical laboratories as well as universities and institutes.

The GM 200 and ZM 100 are approved for a number of applications by leading food and drink authorities in Europe. So far those authorities include the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Germany and the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.

Retsch is a global company dedicated to providing novel technologies and high quality tools for the sample preparation of solids used in R&D and QA applications as well as small scale production.

For more information about Retsch's complete product line of mills and grinders, sample dividers, sieve shakers and test sieves, contact the company at this email​ address.