Food Authentication and Traceability: An Asian and Australian Perspective

This paper considers the current status, the changes, and the challenges of food authentication and traceability with specific reference to the Asian and Australian perspective. Building on the experience of the author (who has presented at seven International Atomic Energy Agency Regional Training Courses in Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and The Philippines), and some relevant case studies, the use of chemical analysis for identification of the origin and potential adulteration of foods and beverages will be discussed. Examples of applications of these techniques include: 1) detecting passing off produce from country A as coming from other countries or conversely passing off non-country A produce as if they originated from country A, and 2) detecting, and prosecuting, people who were taking seafood from a protected marine area and claiming it came from another area. Some reasons why countries in the Asian and Australian region are interested in using these techniques to investigate food authentication and traceability include: desire to have confidence in what we are eating, desire to pay a correct price for the product, health and food safety issues, prevention of criminal activities, and safeguarding environments by preventing the spread of disease and invasion of non-indigenous species. Food and food security is a growing global concern and having a reliable, confirmable, diet is a daily concern for inhabitants of the Asian and Australian region.