News: The 6 biggest challenges in mycotoxin analysis (and how to overcome them) (15/09/2017)

Mycotoxins are among the most important topics in food safety. However, analysis poses some challenges for laboratories as detection is a difficult task, and therefore, mycotoxins go undetected sometimes. These are the biggest mycotoxin analysis challenges – and how to master them all.

News: Reference material: cornerstone of quality control (03/09/2019)

Reference material is indispensable for quality control in food analysis. But what exactly is the difference between reference material and certified reference material? And what is an analytical standard? Here‘s an overview.

News: Egg allergy: children are particularly affected (10/09/2019)

Eggs are very versatile foods and for many people an inherent part of the diet. However, they also are one of the most common allergy triggers worldwide.

News: Beeware! There might be antibiotic residues in your honey (18/08/2017)

Bees are of great importance for humans: these busy little animals not only produce delicious honey, but also pollinate our crop plants – and thereby ensure our food production. However, even bees can get sick and need to be treated with medication. This is not without consequences.

News: What you need to know about insects as novel food (21/02/2023)

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 […]

News: Listeria in food: An increasing risk? (20/04/2017)

Listeria are among the main causes of food poisoning. Recently, there has been an increasing number of product recalls due to Listeria contamination. How great is the risk really?

News: Non-alcoholic wine: what is its actual alcohol content? (02/08/2023)

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 […]

News: 5 reasons for using PCR in allergen analysis (14/04/2020)

When testing for allergens in food, most laboratories use immunological methods such as ELISA. However, real-time PCR can provide distinct advantages.

News: DON: How contaminated is our grain? (24/03/2020)

Moldy bread is easy to recognize for the consumer. But mold can already develop in the field and contaminate the harvest. More dangerous than the mold fungus itself are the toxins it produces, the so-called mycotoxins. One of the most prevalent mycotoxins is deoxynivalenol (DON).

News: Genetically modified organisms (GMO) – subject to a lot of controversy (31/05/2022)

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.

News: Spotlight on beer – International Beer Day (04/08/2015)

The first Friday of every August is international beer day. An excellent moment to put the spotlight on 2 quite different quality aspects of beer: gluten content and beer spoilage.

News: How eco-friendly is your mycotoxin analysis? (20/10/2015)

Organic solvents always played an important role in mycotoxin analysis.  However they have a negative impact on the environment and impose a hazard for the lab technician.

News: The easiest way to perform on-site enzymatic tests (22/04/2016)

Whether you want to analyze wine, beer, fruit juices, sweets, dairy or meat products: Enzymatic methods for the determination of sugar, acid, alcohol and other food components have become an indispensable part of food analysis. If you want to use enzymatic methods in on-site testing, here’s how it works.

News: Does your chocolate contain allergens? (07/07/2016)

The 7th of July is World Chocolate Day: An excellent moment to put the spotlight on that tasty treat. According to the statistics, we eat around 9 kg of chocolate per year. Yet, many people must avoid chocolate because it may contain allergenic substances.

News: Improving allergen analysis: Research project receives subsidies (10/02/2017)

Together with the Fresenius University and the Geisenheim University, R-Biopharm is developing an improved ELISA method for the detection of food allergens. The federal state of Hesse is providing financial support for the project – granting funds of around 330,000 euros.

News: Food fraud: What’s really in our food? (21/03/2017)

Ever since the horsemeat scandal it is clear that our food isn’t always what we think it is. Food fraud cases emerge again and again – and consumers are increasingly concerned. Here are five food fraud facts you should know about.

News: Mycotoxin analysis via smartphone: new hope for farmers? (29/06/2017)

Mycotoxins are a big threat to agriculture. Particularly in developing countries, crops are often contaminated with mycotoxins – with dangerous consequences for the population. Modern technology can improve the situation for farmers and consumers.

News: S. diastaticus: a new challenge in beer analysis? (02/08/2018)

Contamination with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus (often shortened to S. diastaticus) is currently a hot topic in the beer industry. Breweries worldwide are affected. For International Beer Day, here’s what you should know about this harmful wild yeast.

News: New data: This is how common food allergies really are (17/01/2020)

According to a recent study, more than 10 percent of adults in the United States suffer from food allergies, while almost 20 percent think they do. What’s behind this?

News: Semi-automated nucleic acid preparation for food and feed samples – simplicity and convenience (30/07/2020)

Extraction of nucleic acids is a vital part of real-time PCR and is often challenging due to several factors such as the high variability of sample matrices and inhibitory substances like plant ingredients, alcohols or salts.

News: New social media series: What are the benefits of automation to your qPCR lab routine? (05/10/2021)

Standardization of methods, a more efficient lab routine, and saving time and resources. Automation has many advantages. We answer the most important questions about automation.

News: 5 fascinating facts about nuts (27/10/2022)

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 […]

News: Ochratoxin A in coffee: Ensure compliance with new legislative levels (30/03/2023)

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 […]

News: If you have legionella in your facility, this is what you need to know (26/04/2023)

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 […]

News: Can you improve a gold standard method? (17/02/2022)

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?

News: Almonds: A case of food fraud? (13/01/2023)

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 […]

News: Seafood fraud: One out of three fish dishes is not what it says on the menu (20/11/2015)

Is this the next case of food fraud after the horsemeat scandal? Examiners recently analyzed seafood dishes in Brussels (Belgium). The appalling result: Every third seafood dish served in restaurants contains a fish species other than the one you’ve paid for. Here’s what you need to know about the most affected species, the impact on […]

News: RIDA®SMART APP: New update for mycotoxin app (21/07/2016)

In the last months, the RIDA®SMART APP for mycotoxin analysis has received much attention. Now, there’s a new update for the innovative software for quantitative analysis of mycotoxins. Here’s what the new version 1.2 can do.

News: Food fraud: the business of counterfeit whisky (14/06/2017)

Food fraud is a major problem for the beverage industry. High-priced spirits such as single malt whiskies are particularly subject to fraud. Here’s what you should know about food fraud in the alcoholic beverage sector and how to detect adulterated whisky.

News: Listeria – a global challenge for food safety (16/04/2018)

Listeria is currently causing problems in many places: in Europe, frozen corn was recalled; melons led to illness and death of several persons in Australia; and South Africa is experiencing the world’s largest listeriosis outbreak on record with more than 900 infections and around 180 deaths. Here are 5 facts about listeria you need to […]

News: 5 tips for your perfect Thanksgiving dinner (21/11/2018)

In the USA, Thanksgiving will be celebrated this Thursday. On this occasion, we have collected some useful tips to make your Thanksgiving dinner a success.

News: Egg allergy: Christmas treats to eat with caution (09/12/2019)

Egg allergy is among the most common food allergies worldwide and particularly affects children. An egg-free diet often is a challenge – especially in the holiday season.

News: Malolactic fermentation: Helper lactic acid bacteria (15/11/2021)

Particularly in colder regions, the wine tends to be very acidic. The acidic and tart taste is not for all winemakers and wine enthusiasts. Lactic acid bacteria are used to convert malic acid into lactic acid and carbon dioxide. In our article, you can find answers to all the important questions relating to malolactic fermentation […]

News: Does winemaking actually reduce ochratoxin A in wine? (24/04/2015)

Scientists from the Northwest A&F University published a study about ochratoxin A in wine produced in China. The concentration of ochratoxin A depends on various factors in winemaking.

News: Microorganisms in cosmetics: Can your make-up make you ill? (15/12/2015)

Microbiological contamination by bacteria, molds or viruses may not only occur in food. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic products may be contaminated, too. Microorganisms spoil the product and may be hazardous for consumer health.

News: Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A new way to track down the pathogenic bacteria (21/06/2016)

The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen. Together with E. coli, legionella and enterococci, it is one of the most dangerous bacteria in drinking water and also one of the most common hospital germs. The new Compact Dry PA identifies the bacterium easily and reliably.

News: R-Biopharm at the World of Technology & Science (29/09/2016)

Next week, the trade fair „World of Technology & Science“ will open its doors in Utrecht, Netherlands. We will be present, and of course, we are especially looking forward to the laboratory area. Here’s a taste of what awaits you.

News: Tetrodotoxin: the story of the fish more poisonous than cyanide (22/05/2019)

In Japan, the consumption of the delicacy Fugu, or puffer fish, leads to 30 – 50 intoxications of humans per year, resulting in severe illness and sometimes death. The cause for this is tetrodotoxin (TTX), one of the most powerful neurotoxins known, many times more toxic than cyanide.

News: How to start with vitamin analysis (15/05/2019)

Measuring the vitamin content of foods can be complicated. Smaller laboratories often avoid the effort and hire external labs for the analysis. But with the right tools, vitamin analysis can be done very easily and economically.

News: PCR in allergen analysis: a controversial issue (15/01/2019)

In order to protect allergics, allergenic ingredients must be labelled. When testing for allergens in food, most laboratories use immunological methods such as ELISA. The use of PCR in allergen analysis is rather controversial – nevertheless, it should definitely play a central role in your allergen management. Here’s why.

News: New: SureFood® ANIMAL ID Horse (11/03/2013)

SureFood® ANIMAL ID Horse for detection of horse meat in meat and meat products Throughout Europe, meat products have been found containing horse meat, although the products presumably were made from 100% beef. Many laboratories are now facing the question to test meat and meat products for the presence of horse meat. The most reliable […]

News: New challenges for food allergen test methods (27/02/2015)

News: Detection of Florfenicol by ELISA (14/06/2021)

The antibiotic Florfenicol is brought on the market under various brand names and is used to control infections in cattle, pigs, poultry, and aquaculture. The compound is an effective broad-spectrum antibiotic and is considered as a less toxic alternative for chloramphenicol, which is banned world-wide because of its toxic effects.

News: Lumitester PD-30 – new software features and temperature controlled measurements! (16/12/2014)

Much easier and user friendly: The new Lumitester PD-30 (Art. No. ZLT1402653) from Kikkoman is now available! Using the new device ATP/AMP measurement becomes much easier and user friendlier than before!

News: Towards a collaborative Centre of Expertise on food allergen management at University Laval in Quebec City (19/10/2016)

Quebec, October 4th, 2016 – The German company R-Biopharm, one of the largest food diagnostics companies worldwide, is establishing a new Centre of Expertise on food allergen management in collaboration with Université Laval’s Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF).

News: New: Melamine clean-up columns (26/01/2011)

R-Biopharm Rhône Ltd is pleased to announce the launch of their new melamine solid phase clean-up columns for the analysis of melamine in a range of commodities by HPLC or LC-MS/MS. Melamine is an organic base chemical rich in nitrogen and is most commonly found in the form of white cyrstals. Melamine is widely used […]

News: Improve your screening for antibiotics with the new EuroProxima Florfenicol ELISA (10/10/2018)

The use of the broad-spectrum antibiotic Chloramphenicol (CAP) is totally banned world-wide since many years. As an alternative substance, Florfenicol is widely used, mainly in veterinary medicine. For this less toxic antibiotic Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) are established by the European Union, varying from 100 to 3000 ppb, depending on the matrix.

News: Gingerbread: All about the traditional German cookie (21/12/2015)

Christmas is just around the corner and R-Biopharm is getting into the Christmas spirit. This article is dedicated to a typical German Christmas tradition: the “Lebkuchen” (gingerbread).

News: The total solution for the screening for malachite green and crystal violet (12/02/2019)

With the launch of the EuroProxima Malachite Green Total ELISA, R-Biopharm offers a screening test that is fully validated for the measurement of malachite green, leucomalachite green, crystal violet and leucocrystal violet in fish and shrimp.

News: Cheers! It’s beverage day – a toast to quality control (06/05/2022)

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 […]

News: T-2 and HT-2 toxin: A threat to the grain harvest? (20/07/2017)

Grain harvest is well under way. This brings mycotoxins such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin into the focus again. However, also the less known mycotoxins T-2 and HT-2 toxin are a threat to harvest. This year, contamination could be particularly high.

News: National mustard day (05/08/2022)

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).

News: Food hygiene: 3 myths about yeast and mold (09/11/2016)

They turn food rancid, cause unwanted fermentation or leave a musty taste: Molds and yeasts are among the most important spoilage agents. However, these harmful microorganisms often cause uncertainty. Here, we‘ll debunk some of the most common misconceptions about yeast and mold.

News: Chocolate, candy & co.: Is your confectionery suitable for people with allergies? (23/06/2017)

Watch out chocolate lovers: Saturday is „National Pralines Day“. Whether creamy, fruity or crunchy – pralines are something for every taste. It would be a pity if allergy sufferers had to give up this tasty treat. We have therefore put together 5 tips on how to keep your production free of allergens and how to […]

News: 7th June is World Food Safety Day (07/06/2022)

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 […]

News: How contaminated with mycotoxins is the grain harvest this year? (06/08/2020)

This year’s grain harvest has begun. After the very changeable weather conditions, the question arises whether the harvest could possibly be contaminated with mould. What does this mean for the harvest and the resulting products?

News: Gluten analysis explained: 10 questions and answers you should know (10/08/2017)

Codex standard, AOAC certification, R5 or G12 antibody: What does really matter in gluten analysis? We have collected 10 questions about gluten analysis that everyone in the food industry should be able to answer. How many can you easily answer?

News: New wine regions: Viticulture shifts to the North (29/08/2017)

Climate change and an adaption to the EU regulation have made it possible: wine can be cultivated in more and more regions. This brings new challenges for winemakers – not least in the field of quality assurance.