Stable Isotope Technology Helps Verify Food Product Authenticity

By Amanina Mohamad Yusof

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- Stable isotope technology is among the most effective scientific methods for verifying authenticity and tracing the geographical origin of agricultural and food products.

Malaysian Nuclear Agency  Agrotechnology and Biosciences Division research officer Nur Hafizati Abdul Halim said that the technology can protect consumers, honest producers, and the reputation of the national food industry as it also detect counterfeit food products that are difficult to identify through visual inspection or taste alone.

“Each geographical area has its own unique stable isotope identity or ‘fingerprint’ resulting from differences in climate, soil, and water sources. A product’s fingerprint is matched against a reference fingerprint database to determine its origin,” she said in an interview with Bernama.

The approach will detect various forms of fraud such as counterfeit products or those mixed with cheaper ingredients, and false claims regarding organic status or geographical origin as the type and values of naturally-occuring isotopes in every food item will determine its authenticity.

A very clear example is the verification of honey authenticity, where carbon isotope analysis can distinguish genuine honey produced from C3 plant nectar from honey mixed with added sugars such as cane sugar derived from C4 plants, she said.

“Although honey is produced by bees, there are situations where bees are fed additional sugar during extreme weather through the practice of sugar feeding. Therefore, honey produced through this method is not categorised as genuine honey even though it comes from the bee’s stomach,” she explained.

Besides honey, stable isotope techniques are also used to verify the authenticity and origin of products such as edible bird’s nests, coffee, beef, rice, Harumanis mangoes, and cocoa beans, and can detect adulterated food and indirectly prevent fraud by irresponsible traders.

 Nur Hafizati explained that each isotope element analysed has its own indicators: nitrogen isotopes can provide information on fertiliser use and agricultural activities, while oxygen and hydrogen isotopes are closely linked to water sources and geographical location.

The verification process using isotope technology begins with sample collection, either in the field or through submission by applicants, before laboratory analysis using the Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA) technique with the main equipment, Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS).

IRMS functions to measure the ratios of stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur that naturally occur in food.

“Analysis reports can usually be issued within two to three days, including sample preparation,” Nur Hafizati said.

However, she stressed that the laboratory only conducts scientific analysis and issues technical reports, while certification matters and use for marketing purposes must go through enforcement agencies such as the Health Ministry (MOH).

Currently, she said, the MOH allows the use of the Authentic logo for four products—honey, coffee, edible bird’s nests, and meat—subject to compliance with guidelines and comprehensive evaluation by the ministry.

“Stable isotope analysis reports can be used as supporting evidence for the MOH before permission is granted to use the Authentic logo on marketed products. This ‘Authentic’ logo can be displayed on products so that consumers are more confident in using them because their authenticity has been verified,” she said.

In the context of food safety, stable isotope technology also complements the use of other nuclear technologies such as food irradiation and quarantine treatment, which are recognised by international bodies including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

She emphasised that stable isotope techniques do not involve radioactive materials and do not expose food to radiation; instead, they function solely as laboratory analysis methods to read the natural composition of food.

“This technology is important not only to protect consumers from fraud, but also to support law enforcement, ensure food quality and safety, and protect honest producers.

“From an export perspective, the use of stable isotope technology can increase the confidence of importing countries and international consumers because it aligns with traceability requirements and global food safety standards,” she said.

-- BERNAMA