ABSTRACT
Recently, there has been a signicant public outcry over the presence of adulterated food products in the marketplace. The most highly publicized of these incidents resulted in human deaths or injuries in China and was caused by adulteration of wheat gluten and other protein-based ingredients with melamine and cyanuric acid [1]. The public reaction focused on the quality of imported food and the inadequacy of import monitoring systems, but a deeper issue is the adequacy of test methods used for the evaluation of product and ingredient quality. The problem is not unique to conventional plant-derived food products. Many tests that are used for the evaluation and quality assurance of botanical products, regardless of whether they are considered drugs or dietary supplements, can give misleading answers if not selected
Introduction ................................................................................................................5 Limitations of Indirect Methods-Protein Products Adulterated with Melamine .....8 Limitations of Indirect Methods-Amaranth Dye Adulteration in Bilberry .............9 Method Precision, Accuracy, and Intended Purpose in Relation to Product Specications ........................................................................................................... 10 Impact of Specication Selection on Accuracy and Precision-Determination of Ginsenosides in Ginseng ..................................................................................... 11 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 12 References ................................................................................................................ 12
and interpreted correctly. The proper selection and implementation of analytical methods is essential for the assurance of product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
