Mostar received state-of-the-art equipment for testing the authenticity of honey, olive oil and wine. The EA-IRMS (Elemental Analyzer – Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer) device thermally decomposes the sample (honey, olive oil, wine) and converts it into simple gases.

New equipment for testing authenticity of honey, olive oil and wine

The Federal Agro-Mediterranean Institute Mostar has put into operation new laboratory equipment for testing the authenticity of honey, olive oil and wine EA-IRMS. The total value of the purchased equipment is 1.8 million BAM, and the funds are provided from the budget of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry explains that the laboratory equipment for testing the authenticity of honey, olive oil and wine EA-RMS refers to a complex analytical system used for isotopic analysis of stable isotopes in food products for authenticity verification and detection of counterfeits.

The EA-IRMS (Elemental Analyzer – Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer) device thermally decomposes the sample (honey, olive oil, wine) and converts it into simple gases. An isotope ratio spectrometer measures stable isotope ratios. These ratios form the 'isotopic footprint' of the product, which makes it possible to distinguish between natural and added sugar in wine or honey, to detect the mixing of olive oil with cheaper oils, to determine the geographical origin and to detect counterfeits. EA-IRMS is crucial for authenticity control because the isotopic composition cannot be easily falsified as it reflects climatic conditions, food source and production method. In many developed countries, this equipment is standard in state laboratories, customs and food quality control institutes – the Ministry said. The Federal Minister of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, Kemal Hrnjić, emphasized that this investment is for the benefit of producers and the reputation of domestic food and that the Government of the Federation of BiH is trying to protect domestic producers.

"Authenticity and quality must be the foundation of our development. With this system, we create fair market conditions, protect hardworking beekeepers, olive growers and winemakers, and confirm that products from the Federation of BiH can stand side by side with the best in Europe. In this way, we are trying to stop the marketing of adulterated products made of honey, olive oil and wine", said Minister Hrnjić. The Minister called on representatives of inspection bodies to use this equipment, as well as the competent state institutions that carry out product sampling during import into Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"The new equipment is the highest standard in the analysis of food authenticity and represents a big step forward for producers, beekeepers, olive growers and winemakers. Thanks to precise isotopic determination of authenticity, domestic manufacturers receive a reliable mechanism for protecting their original and high-quality products on the market. The analyses provided by EA-IRMS prevent the placement of counterfeits that bring down the price and damage the reputation of real producers, which strengthens consumer confidence and opens up opportunities for better placement of domestic products, on domestic and international markets. At the same time, this technology gives producers a clear, scientifically based confirmation of the quality and origin of their honey, olive oils and wines, which is an important tool in branding and protecting indigenous products from the territory of the Federation of BiH," the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry announced.