Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic compounds produced by moulds that can contaminate a wide range of agricultural products, including cereals, nuts and animal feeds. These invisible threats pose a significant risk to both human and animal health, making accurate mycotoxin analysis in food and feed a critical component of food safety and quality assurance. In […]
The growing demand for plant-based products for vegan or vegetarian consumers is also a major challenge for food manufacturers. Many manufacturers have expanded their product line to include new plant-based products that replicate burgers and other meat dishes with plant-based ingredients, deceptively imitating the taste and texture of meat. Products range from plant-based burgers to […]
R-Biopharm Rhône is a leading developer of test solutions for food and feed analysis and has been a trusted partner in the industry for over 35 years. As a company, we do everything we can to ensure our staff feel valued and supported. We take pride in being among the 5 % of the companies […]
On this World Food Day, we unite under the theme “Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind” to emphasize the crucial relationship between water and food. The quality of water directly impacts the quality of our food, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure its safety throughout the supply chain, from […]
In a groundbreaking achievement for the cannabis industry in Latin America, the Laboratorio Instrumental de Alta Complejidad from Lasalle University in Colombia (https://laboratoriodeanalisis.lasalle.edu.co/) has attained ISO 17025:2017 accreditation (21-LAB-030), marking a significant milestone in the field of cannabis analysis, particularly concerning food pathogens. This accreditation underscores the laboratory’s commitment to ensuring the safety and quality […]
The constant surveillance of food safety is becoming more and more critical as it affects human and animal health. During the last decade, considerable attention has been drawn to mycotoxins, secondary metabolites produced by fungi. These toxins are present in food and feed and are responsible for carcinogenic effects and various diseases. Therefore, testing for […]
The 2023 European wheat and barley harvest has captured attention due to its intricate interplay with weather conditions. This year’s season was more than exciting, presenting a blend of opportunities and obstacles for farmers and agricultural stakeholders. From the promising start with minimal Fusarium contamination risk during flowering to the unexpected challenge of mold contamination […]
Whether non-alcoholic beers, sparkling wines or even wines: Drinks without alcohol are becoming increasingly popular. But how much alcohol is actually still in wine that is declared alcohol-free? And how is it ensured that the product meets the legal requirements? In recent years, the range of the range of non-alcoholic wine alternatives has grown strongly […]
Vitamins are organic molecules important for human growth and health. Specifically, the human body requires 13 vitamins to stay healthy, each with a different biochemical function. Vitamins are divided into two groups, based on the way they break down once ingested. Water-soluble vitamins are not easily stored as they break down quickly upon ingestion. Fat-soluble […]
If grapes are attacked by molds, the mold toxin ochratoxin can form. You can find out which products are particularly at risk and how to protect wines here. Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin formed by molds of the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera. The mold toxin is highly harmful to human and animal health even in […]
Whether Pilsner, lager, Hefeweizen, Altbier or the countless craft beer variations: The selection of beer styles is huge and the range continues to grow. However, the microorganisms that get into the beer during the brewing process and can lead to spoilage are just as diverse as the beer styles. They impair the taste and odor […]
Whether vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian: more and more people are reducing their meat consumption or doing without animal foods completely. In order to meet the protein requirement even without animal products, various alternative protein sources are available. Alternative proteins are considered sustainable, healthy and better for the environment and animal welfare. There are numerous protein-rich […]
The importance of following a well-developed sampling plan, prior to mycotoxin analysis of food and feed is well recognised. It is accepted that regardless of the effort that goes into ensuring the accuracy of a mycotoxin test, the result is only as good as the sample that has been taken. Mycotoxins, in particular aflatoxins, are […]
Water is essential for life – but also a frequent source of bacterial infections. If Legionella bacteria grow in the water pipes, it can lead to serious diseases. This article answers the most important questions on the subject of Legionella. How dangerous are Legionella bacteria? Legionella is a genus of waterborne, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that […]
Many people know lupins rather as an ornamental garden plant with colourful blossoms. However, for some years now, the plant has also been increasingly used for food production. Since then, allergies to lupins have become more common. Lupins belong to the family of legumes and are related to peanuts, lentils, peas and soybeans. In recent […]
Coffee production Coffee comes from Coffea, a tree which belongs to the Rubiaceae family, with the largest diversity found in humid environments. Different varieties of coffee, require different environments for the plant to grow. In general, coffee grows from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Tropic of Cancer. Higher altitudes produce coffee beans with a […]
From yogurt to butter and cheese, milk and dairy products are an essential part of many people’s diets. Regular testing is essential to ensure the high quality of these products. Enzymatic analyses play an important role in this. Enzymatic tests can be used in the manufacturing process and in quality assurance to measure various important […]
Antibiotics have become an indispensable tool in medicine, treating numerous infectious diseases effectively and safely. However, researchers warn that this could change as a result of increasing resistance. Antibiotic resistance is on the rise worldwide. Experts see this as one of the greatest health risks for the human population. If pathogens become resistant to antibiotics, […]
Mycotoxins are a major problem in agriculture, with grains being particularly affected. The extent to which molds and thus mycotoxins form in grains depends largely on the climatic conditions during the flowering period. So what impact does climate change have on this? The prevalence of mycotoxins in grains globally varies from year to year. In […]
Foodborne infections are often caused by listeria. The risk of contamination is particularly high in raw foods of animal origin. Here’s what food processing facilities need to know in order to produce safe food. The human-pathogenic listeria species Listeria monocytogenes can cause the infectious disease listeriosis, which often leads to severe outbreaks. It may cause […]
The determination of parameters such as sugars, acids and alcohol plays an important role in wine production. For this purpose, enzymatic analyses are used – which can easily be automated. Whether for the determination of tartaric acid, acetic acid, sulfite, glucose or ethanol: enzymatic tests are an indispensable part of wine analysis. They are based […]
In January 2023, the EU approved two more insects as food: the house cricket in powder form, and the lesser mealworm. Here is an overview of the most important questions and answers on the topic. Which insects are allowed as food? There are hundreds of edible insect species worldwide. In the EU, only four insects […]
Mycotoxins are a major problem in global agriculture. Besides grains, many other foods can be affected as well. And sometimes they are found in very unexpected places. Molds can grow on a wide variety of agricultural products, forming harmful mycotoxins. Whenever food trends lead to novel foods or raw materials coming onto the market, it […]
Vegan food is popular. People with allergies enjoy vegan alternatives, too. But they should be careful, because hidden allergens can lurk in many vegan foods. Pay attention to allergen labeling Vegan foods are free from animal products, including milk and egg. However, this does not automatically mean that they are suitable for people with egg […]
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary metabolite produced by several fungi which can infect a range of agricultural products after harvest, during drying and during storage. Originally thought to be a problem largely confined to cereals such as wheat, barley, and oats, over the years a wider range of other agricultural products have been found […]
Vegan food is continuing to be one of the biggest dietary trends. For some time now, however, you’ve been hearing more and more about the “plant-based diet”. Is this just a new term for the vegan lifestyle – or is there something else behind it? What does “vegan” mean? People who live vegan avoid (usually […]
Almonds are a healthy snack and a popular ingredient in baked goods and many other foods. But for people with allergies, almonds are a risk – especially if they are present in foods without being labeled accordingly. Food fraud can affect almost any product. Fraudsters make a lot of money with low-quality olive oil, mislabeled […]
For those still looking for a delicious side dish for this year’s Christmas menu, our colleague Claire from R-Biopharm Rhone has just the thing: Christmas red cabbage with apple, orange and raisins. Fruity-sweet and softly cooked in the oven, the side dish will be the secret star of the Christmas dinner. Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter […]
Corn is one of the most cultivated grains in the world and is an important part of the diet for humans and animals. It’s no wonder that the USA honor this versatile grain with their own holiday, National Maize Day. However, corn is also criticized because it is often genetically modified. The grain with the […]
Plant-based foods are a major trend and new vegetarian and vegan foods are constantly coming onto the market. However, people with allergies need to look carefully when choosing plant-based milk and meat alternatives.
The trend towards vegetarian and vegan diets is unbroken. An important topic in this context is the presence of mycotoxins, because many of the plant-based products consist of grains, nuts or soy – foods that are often contaminated with fungal toxins. More and more people are reducing their meat consumption or giving up eating foods […]
In the USA, National Nut Day is celebrated on October 22. Reason enough to take a closer look at the little vitamin bombs. 1. Not everything we call a nut actually is one In fact, from a botanical point of view, there are only a few “true nuts”, including hazelnuts, walnuts as well as sweet […]
October 25 is World Pasta Day. We think that’s a good occasion to try out a new kind of noodles. How about insect pasta? Edible Insects are in the trend: they are healthy, rich in protein and sustainable. Their cultivation is much more economical in terms of resources and produces fewer greenhouse gases than other […]
World Food Day is celebrated on 16 October to remind us that many people in the world are still suffering from hunger. Military conflicts, the COVID pandemic and climate change have recently exacerbated the situation again. How can access to healthy and safe food be improved for all people? Food waste is a major problem. […]
Listeria monocytogenes is frequently associated with the most severe outbreaks in terms of hospitalisations and deaths. In 2021, Listeria outbreaks included fresh produce, cured meats, ready to eat chicken products as well as cheese. 18 outbreaks of infections were traced to bagged salads and led to a recall of more than 200 varieties of bagged […]
Mustard is categorized as a spice, globally ones of the most important ones, and belongs to the Brassicaceae family of plants. Other plants in this family include for example broccoli, cabbage, and rapeseed (canola).
Did you know? Harvested seaweed, neither seafood nor a vegetable, is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but only as a spice. As part of sushi, in the form of salad or as part of cosmetics or fertilizers and soil conditioners – seaweeds find many applications in several industries, with a special increasing […]
Food safety is a global concern that includes various different areas of our daily life. Safe and nutritious food in sufficient amounts is crucial to sustaining life and promoting good health. Hazardous food contaminated with e.g. harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances can cause more than 200 different diseases – ranging from diarrhea to […]
Although, GMO foods may become an essential tool in feeding the world’s growing population and undergo strict testing, people have concerns about possible risks, and there is much debate about the pros and cons of using GMOs.
Drinking is a huge part of how we socialize, celebrate, and also sometimes deal with stress. However, as more people make a point of a conscious lifestyle or become sober-curious, fully sober, or simply want a more fun night off, there is an increasing demand and popularity for low and non-alcoholic beverages. These include alcohol-free […]
Recently, there have been a number of oyster recalls due to Norovirus contaminations. But what actually are noroviruses, what are sources of contamination and how can the viruses be detected?
Edible insects are a matter of course for more than a quarter of the world’s population, because they taste good, are nutritious and are relatively readily available. Thus, insects supplement the diets of approximately two billion people in various countries around the world – mainly in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America. More and […]
Culinary herbs and spices are not only used for flavoring food. They may also come with other properties, such as antioxidative and bacteriostatic effects as well as certain pharmacological activities.
We often get the question: “Why do you have a gluten PCR in your portfolio?” A valid question indeed, because gluten is the general name for the proteins in wheat, barley, rye and triticale. Since PCR detects DNA or RNA – not protein, the question remains: How can you use qPCR in gluten analysis.
Enzymatic food analysis is probably one of the oldest biochemical methods in food and feed testing. The so-called “Yellow Line” from Roche is widely accepted as a reference method for many food and feed testing applications. R-Biopharm has successfully sold these products for more than 20 years. So why change a winning team?
Did you know that gluten may also be present in fruit juice and fish sticks? Cereal protein gluten is frequently used to maintain the form of drinks and convenience meals. As a result, many of these goods include the warning label “May contain traces of gluten.” Our R-Biopharm RIDASCREEN® Gliadin ELISA (Art. No. R7001) now […]
Our R-Biopharm christmas recipe this year was submitted by our employee Christine. These peanut-caramel lozenges are delight for the whole family, to be shared under the Christmas tree. Or maybe you could bake a batch of cookies and give them to your friends as a gift? In any case, we hope you enjoy baking them, […]
Salmonella are rod-shaped bacteria that cause infections in the gastrointestinal tract in humans and animals and can often be fatal. The treatment of salmonella has become a billion-dollar industry in many countries around the world. A new study from Hungary now provides surprising figures on how high these really are.