National mustard day

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).

Seaweed – alternative protein source but also coming with potential food safety hazards?

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 […]

7th June is World Food Safety Day

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 […]

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) – subject to a lot of controversy

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.

Cheers! It’s beverage day – a toast to quality control

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 […]

Norovirus illnesses and outbreaks – more common in winter months

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 – delicacy or allergy risk?

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 – between healthy lifestyle, food fraud, mycotoxins and hidden food allergens

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.

Why use PCR for testing gluten?

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?

Can you improve a gold standard method?

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?

RIDASCREEN® Gliadin ELISA: The first international test with the designation “in food”

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 […]

R-Biopharm christmas recipe: Peanut-caramel lozenges (approx. 80 pieces)

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, […]

Study: Salmonella causes damage worth billions of euros

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.

National Cake Day: Which allergens can be found in cakes?

Allergens are substances that produce varied symptoms in allergy patients. As a result, allergens must be labeled. Some (such as eggs or gluten-containing wheat flour) are also found in cakes. What do allergy patients need to know about allergens in cakes? This article summarizes.

Mycotoxins in animal feeds: How dangerous are they for pets?

Gastrointestinal disorders and impairment of the immune and nervous systems: Mycotoxins, the metabolic product of mold fungi, are not just hazardous to human health; they may also be toxic for pets. How do mycotoxins get into pet food? What health risks are there? As a pet owner, this is vital information!

Malolactic fermentation: Helper lactic acid bacteria

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 […]

Vitamin series – part 3 of 9: Folic acid

“Folic acid is an important vitamin.” But why is that so? What function does folic acid have and which foods are rich in folic acid? Learn more in the 3rd edition of our vitamin series!

Good allergen management saves lives

“Gluten-free”, like “allergen-free”, is on everyone’s lips today. Even if foods are produced without allergens such as peanuts or milk or without gluten, they can be dangerous for allergy sufferers and patients with celiac disease. The reason for this is contamination. Test methods should therefore be integrated into an allergen management system. How should allergen […]

New r-biotube video: The history of food coups

Horse meat in lasagna, falsely declared fish or contaminated baby food – food fraud makes headlines again and again. Companies hope to gain a financial advantage, but often endanger the health of consumers.

New social media series: What are the benefits of automation to your qPCR lab routine?

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.

Vitamin series – part 2 of 9: vitamin B12

Vitamins protect us every day. Without vitamins, muscles, metabolism and brain cannot perform. This is reason enough to get to know vitamins. In the 2nd part of our series, we introduce vitamin B12 (cobalamin).

The advantages and risks of using wild yeast

Microorganisms transform sugar contained in must into alcohol and carbon dioxide in a process known as fermentation, which results in the production of wine. Winemakers (and brewers) have two options for starting the fermentation process with yeast: they can use a commercial pure yeast strain that has particularly desirable and consistent characteristics, or they can […]

Buckwheat – a hidden food allergen?

Buckwheat is popular in many countries, including Russia, and is usually enjoyed either sweet or hearty, similar to that of semolina. It’s time to take a deeper look at the plant, especially because buckwheat does not contain gluten. Allergy patients, however, must use caution.

World Coconut Day – 8 surprising facts

International Coconut Day is celebrated on September 2nd. The coconut palm grows in the tropical belt, yet it is no longer considered exotic here; it has long been a staple of our cuisine. Here are 8 startling facts.

New whitepaper: The importance of validation for antibiotic test systems!

Residues of antibiotics, hormones and toxins are a threat to consumer health. This makes reliable test systems and their validation all the more important. Validation demonstrates that an analytical method meets requirements for accuracy, precision, robustness, specificity, selectivity and repeatability, among others. In summary: It is the proof that a test method works correctly. So […]

Vitamin series – part 1 of 9: vitamin B6

Vitamins ensure that our bodies function every day. Time to get to know them. In our series, we introduce you to 9 vitamins: Where do they occur? What function(s) do they have? How much does a person need? In episode 1, we start with vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine). Check out our infographic for more facts.

7 Questions: How to analyze mycotoxins in wheat

High humidity provides ideal conditions for mycotoxin-forming fungi that contaminate wheat. Because this summer has had high rain fall mycotoxin analysis is especially important. We sat down with Carrie Maune, vice-president of Trilogy Analytical Laboratory: What do you need to know about grain contamination with DON (deoxynivalenol) and ZON (zearalenone)?

Detection of Florfenicol by ELISA

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.

Insect-based food – potential new source for allergic reactions?

The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has approved the first insect for human consumption: the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva). It is categorized as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 (‘food consisting of, isolated from or produced from animals or their parts’, as described in Article 3(2)(v)).

Sesame – joining the ‘big eight’ US allergens? Testing necessary?

Sesame seeds are a common ingredient in the food industry. Yet, sesame seeds are a tremendously strong allergen and the prevalence of sesame seed allergy has been increasing in recent years.

Enjoy Christmas – with gluten-free cookies

Christmas is just around the corner and with it the cookie season. For celiac patients, caution is advised to not take any risks while snacking. That’s why we have a gluten-free cookie recipe for you to try out, so you don’t have to give up this holiday season.

Better safe than sorry: reliable allergen detection

During the control of allergens in food, the so-called hook effect can occur. But what does the hook effect mean in terms of allergen detection and what are the possible consequences of the test result?

How contaminated with mycotoxins is the grain harvest this year?

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?

Semi-automated nucleic acid preparation for food and feed samples – simplicity and convenience

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.

Meat fraud: Your meal might not be what is says on the label

Pork does not belong in a kebab or a beef sausage. However, adulteration of meat products with cheaper pork is a common form of meat fraud. This is a problem – especially for consumers who refrain from eating pork for religious reasons.

Detecting milk fraud

Goat’s milk and sheep’s milk are increasingly popular alternatives to cow’s milk. However, consumers do not always get what they pay for. Adulteration with cow’s milk – intentional or unintentional – is not uncommon.

Legionella, a waterborne risk

Tap water contaminated with Legionella can cause severe infections. Water pipes that are not used regularly are particularly susceptible to the colonization of bacteria – a problem especially now during the coronavirus pandemic, as many businesses, hotels and public facilities are closed.

5 reasons for using PCR in allergen analysis

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

Egg-free Easter: How to guarantee safe food for allergy sufferers

At Easter, eggs are served particularly often. But they are also a popular ingredient in many other dishes and processed foods — a challenge for allergic people.

Coronavirus: Can you get infected through food?

The spread of the coronavirus is causing concern worldwide. Because knowledge of this novel virus is still limited, there is much speculation. For example, there are fears that the virus may also be transmitted through food. Is there any truth to this?

DON: How contaminated is our grain?

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).

PCR analysis the easy way

Real-time PCR has proved to be a reliable and efficient analysis method in many areas. For laboratories who have avoided up to now the investments for PCR analysis, a new compact PCR cycler now makes it easy to get started.

Lactoferrin, a healthy addition to baby milk powder

A natural improvement of the baby’s immune system is mediated by the protein Lactoferrin in mother’s milk.

New data: This is how common food allergies really are

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?

S. diastaticus – an ongoing brewers’ threat and the search for a needle in a haystack

Off-flavors, turbidity and even exploding bottles: During the last years, the yeast S. diastaticus has caused trouble to several craft brewers. Detecting a contamination before it spoils your beer isn’t easy.

Antibiotic residues: How contaminated is our food?

When it comes to food safety, consumers in Germany worry most about antibiotic residues, as a current survey shows. Is it a legitimate concern? How great is the danger?

Egg allergy: Christmas treats to eat with caution

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.

Detecting fish fraud with real-time PCR

Fish is among the most counterfeited foods. The differences between a cod fillet and a cheaper pangasius are barely visible to the naked eye. Suitable test systems such as real-time PCR are needed for fishery products to be identified without doubt.