Process Contaminants and Additives Testing

Process Contaminants and Additives Testing

Accurately detect unwanted additives and process contaminants with Waters versatile mass spectrometry (MS) solutions. Designed to support food business operators, Waters integrated technologies enable reliable and efficient analysis to ensure the production of safe, compliant foodstuffs while streamlining manufacturing processes and minimizing product rework or waste.

Accurately detect unwanted additives and process contaminants with Waters versatile mass spectrometry (MS) solutions. Designed to support food business operators, Waters integrated technologies enable reliable and efficient analysis to ensure the production of safe, compliant foodstuffs while streamlining manufacturing processes and minimizing product rework or waste.
French fries in wax paper
French fries in wax paper

Overview

Process contaminants— unintended and potentially harmful byproducts resulting from chemical interactions of food components or their environmental conditions during production— can present significant challenges to safety and compliance. Waters mass spectrometry solutions coupled with liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC) offer versatility in scope of methods and simplified sample preparation, so your lab can confidently and easily quantify process contaminants and banned additives.

Applications

Formed at high temperatures in certain foods containing sugars and asparagine, good practices are required to control acrylamide levels. Waters LC-MS/MS kit-based solutions allow food testing laboratories to outperform regulatory requirements, including EU regulation 2017/2158, all with minimal method development and without the need to derivatize prior to GC analysis.

Formed at high temperatures in certain foods containing sugars and asparagine, good practices are required to control acrylamide levels. Waters LC-MS/MS kit-based solutions allow food testing laboratories to outperform regulatory requirements, including EU regulation 2017/2158, all with minimal method development and without the need to derivatize prior to GC analysis.

Application Notes

Potato chips in wood bowl on table

Chlorate can be formed as a byproduct from the use of chlorine- or chlorite-containing disinfection products during food production. The reliable and sensitive quantitation of this low molecular weight and highly polar contaminant can be achieved across food types using accessible, yet versatile LC-MS/MS workflows.

Chlorate can be formed as a byproduct from the use of chlorine- or chlorite-containing disinfection products during food production. The reliable and sensitive quantitation of this low molecular weight and highly polar contaminant can be achieved across food types using accessible, yet versatile LC-MS/MS workflows.

Application Notes

Fresh milk bottle and can on table in cowshed

While commonly recognized as environmental contaminants that enter our food supply through industrial activities, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can also contaminate food during heating, cooking, and curing processes. With their various potentially negative health risks, priority PAH congeners have been identified and are regulated, requiring accurate and reliable testing of foods.

While commonly recognized as environmental contaminants that enter our food supply through industrial activities, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can also contaminate food during heating, cooking, and curing processes. With their various potentially negative health risks, priority PAH congeners have been identified and are regulated, requiring accurate and reliable testing of foods.

Application Notes

Summer barbeque party. Flat-lay of table with grilled meat, vegetables, salad, roasted potato and peoples hands with glasses of lemon water over white tablecloth, top view, wide composition

Formed during the heating stage of caramel colorings production, 4-methylimidazole is an undesirable and possibly carcinogenic by-product. To meet detection levels with confidence across many complex foods, sauces, and beverages, LC-MS offers a quick and sensitive approach to reliable quantitation.   

Formed during the heating stage of caramel colorings production, 4-methylimidazole is an undesirable and possibly carcinogenic by-product. To meet detection levels with confidence across many complex foods, sauces, and beverages, LC-MS offers a quick and sensitive approach to reliable quantitation.   

Application Notes

Soft drink being poured into glass

Azo dyes, including Sudan dyes, have historically been fraudulently and illegally used to enhance the visual appearance of spices, shellfish, and other foodstuffs.  The risk posed to consumer safety and product quality and integrity requires reliable, yet simple quantitative analysis.

Azo dyes, including Sudan dyes, have historically been fraudulently and illegally used to enhance the visual appearance of spices, shellfish, and other foodstuffs.  The risk posed to consumer safety and product quality and integrity requires reliable, yet simple quantitative analysis.

Application Notes

Red chilli peppers on a wooden spoon; capsaicin

Brochure: Acrylamide in Processed Foods

Discover how Waters application solution for acrylamide delivers convenience to your analysis. With a methodology verified on a range of processed foods, acrylamide can be routinely extracted, chromatographically retained, and reliably determined. Eliminate the need for extensive method development and achieve excellent selectivity and sensitivity, consistently.

Discover how Waters application solution for acrylamide delivers convenience to your analysis. With a methodology verified on a range of processed foods, acrylamide can be routinely extracted, chromatographically retained, and reliably determined. Eliminate the need for extensive method development and achieve excellent selectivity and sensitivity, consistently.
Download Brochure
Coffee beans in a pile

Solutions

Waters MS systems with chromatographic inlets offer leading versatility, flexibility, and performance in contaminant testing.

Waters MS systems with chromatographic inlets offer leading versatility, flexibility, and performance in contaminant testing.

High performance from a compact design 

High performance from a compact design 
Xevo TQ-S micro Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

Delivering the LC and GC results you need injection after injection, Xevo TQ-S micro yields unparalleled analytical performance and flexibility per square inch of bench-space.

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • PAHs
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

Absolute performance in reaching ever-lower detection limits

Absolute performance in reaching ever-lower detection limits
Xevo TQ Absolute XR Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

Maintain analytical performance, confidence, and flexibility in quantifying contaminants of interest to ever-lowering regulatory limits with the Xevo TQ Absolute XR Mass Spectrometer, coupled with Waters ACQUITY Premier System and/or Waters Atmospheric Pressure Gas Chromatography (APGC).

  • Chlorate Testing
  • PAHs

Transform your quantitation with affordable, reliable performance

Transform your quantitation with affordable, reliable performance
Xevo TQ-S cronos Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

Obtain dependable performance with Waters Xevo TQ-S cronos, designed with your quantitative analysis and sample throughput in mind, for cost-effective, quality analytical data injection after injection.

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • 4-Methylimidazole
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

Mass spectra, at the push of a button

Mass spectra, at the push of a button
ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector

Power on your mass spectral capabilities and analytical confidence with the ACQUITY QDa II Mass Detector and easily incorporate mass spectrometry for the reliable analysis of foods and beverages. 

  • 4-Methylimidazole
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

Waters chromatography systems help you gain greater insights into your contaminant samples.

Waters chromatography systems help you gain greater insights into your contaminant samples.

Expand your capabilities in GC analyses

Expand your capabilities in GC analyses
Waters Atmospheric Pressure Gas Chromatography System

Achieve the next generation of GC performance with Waters Atmospheric Pressure Gas Chromatography (APGC) System to gain improved sensitivity, selectivity, and flexibility—ultimately enabling savings per sample and confidence in results.

  • PAHs

Complex chromatography challenges, (re)solved

Complex chromatography challenges, (re)solved
ACQUITY Premier System

Maximize your laboratory’s LC-MS/MS capabilities with high-throughput, ultra performance ACQUITY Premier System to consistently and confidently retain and separate for reliable quantitation.

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • Chlorate Testing
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

See clearly and consistently, with confidence

See clearly and consistently, with confidence
Arc Premier System

For UHPLC separations, deploy the highly versatile Arc Premier LC system to ensure reliability in your contaminant testing.

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • 4-Methylimidazole
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

The gold standard in HPLC analysis

The gold standard in HPLC analysis
Alliance HPLC System

Delivering traditional chromatographic performance, the Alliance HPLC System maintains reliability and confidence in contaminant testing by mass spectral and optical detection.

  • 4-Methylimidazole

Waters software streamlines the data acquisition, processing, and reporting of contaminant testing results.

Waters software streamlines the data acquisition, processing, and reporting of contaminant testing results.

Dominate data and accelerate workflows with confidence

Dominate data and accelerate workflows with confidence
waters_connect for Quantitation

Harness real-time intelligence, ensure MS system performance, and quickly convert sample data into results with waters_connect for Quantitation – the future of streamlined system and data handling is here.

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • Chlorate Testing
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

Chromatographic data, simplified

Chromatographic data, simplified
Empower Chromatographic Data System (CDS)

Simplify your chromatography test results following optical or mass spectral detection with Empower Chromatographic Data System (CDS), the industry's most advanced CDS for data acquisition, management, processing, analytics, and reporting capabilities.

  • 4-Methylimidazole
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

Gain efficiency and walk away time with verified lab automation solutions.

Gain efficiency and walk away time with verified lab automation solutions.

Liquid handling: from pains to gains

Liquid handling: from pains to gains
Andrew+ Pipetting Robot

Gain improved method performance and lab efficiency by automating repetitive and time intensive pipetting steps with Andrew+ Pipetting Robot in the analyses of banned additives and process contaminants.

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • Chlorate Testing
  • 4-Methylimidazole
  • Azo Dyes and Colors
  • PAHs

Quality consumables to support your success.

Quality consumables to support your success.

Achieve convenient acrylamide analysis

Achieve convenient acrylamide analysis
Acrylamide Analysis Kits

With Waters ready-to-use kit-based solutions, discover the quality consumables for analyte extraction, cleanup, and chromatography that are just a click away.

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  • Acrylamide Testing

Shake, centrifuge, and analyze

Shake, centrifuge, and analyze
DisQuE, QuEChERS Sample Preparation Products

Explore the revolutionary and wide-reaching sample preparation workflow of QuEChERS in DisQuE kits – making analyte extraction and sample clean-up accessible, convenient, and quick.

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • Chlorate Testing
  • Azo Dyes and Colors
  • PAHs

Next generation in polar retention is here

Next generation in polar retention is here
Atlantis Premier BEH C18 AX Column

Struggling to retain your moderately polar neutral and ionized analytes by traditional LC-MS/MS?  Uncover unparallelled chromatographic performance with our proprietary mixed-mode reversed-phase/anion-exchange (AX) column, with increased pH stability and reduced levels of MS bleed, compared to existing products.

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  • Chlorate Testing

The vial of choice for MS applications

The vial of choice for MS applications
TruView pH Control LCMS Certified Vials

Eliminate unwanted reactions with glass surfaces and achieve low adsorption characteristics with TruView LCMS Certified Vials that are the ideal vial of choice for challenging analytes such as chlorate.

  • Acrylamide Testing

Waters is committed to your lab’s success with quality support and consultative services that optimize your processes and budgets.

Waters is committed to your lab’s success with quality support and consultative services that optimize your processes and budgets.

Accelerating your success with award winning service

Accelerating your success with award winning service
Waters Instrument Services

Ensure your laboratory runs efficiently and is ready to address the opportunities of tomorrow with Waters comprehensive analytical support with expert training. 

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • Chlorate Testing
  • PAHs
  • 4-Methylimidazole
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

Ensure your laboratory is ready to address the opportunities of tomorrow

Ensure your laboratory is ready to address the opportunities of tomorrow
FlexUP Technology Replacement Program

Achieve your business, service, and scientific goals by keeping your technologies current with Waters FlexUP Technology Replacement Program, a flexible and cost-effective way to access Waters latest innovations.

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • Chlorate Testing
  • PAHs
  • 4-Methylimidazole
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

Productivity up. Costs? Way down.

Productivity up. Costs? Way down.
FlexCHOICE Instrument Service Coverage

Safeguard against lost productivity and unexpected downtime with Waters FlexCHOICE: mySystem Coverage1 that offers three coverage options designed for your unique lab requirements.​

1 Soon available in all regions.

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • Chlorate Testing
  • PAHs
  • 4-Methylimidazole
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

Make science more accessible with Waters Capital

Make science more accessible with Waters Capital
Payment Solutions

Maximize resources and minimize risk with payment options from Waters Capital, including upgrading aging equipment, getting customized support and bundling services into one monthly payment. 

  • Acrylamide Testing
  • Chlorate Testing
  • PAHs
  • 4-Methylimidazole
  • Azo Dyes and Colors

The data speaks for itself

The data speaks for itself
Chromatographic separation by LC-MS/MS of 3-aminopropanamide, lactamide, acrylamide, and N-A-β-alanine
Chromatographic separation by LC-MS/MS of 3-aminopropanamide, lactamide, acrylamide, and N-A-β-alanine to avoid mis-detections and improve method reliability and accuracy.
Chromatographic performance of chlorate in infant formula at 0.1 µg/kg and linearity performance
Chromatographic performance of chlorate in infant formula at 0.1 µg/kg and linearity performance for matrix matched infant formula from 5 to 200 µg/kg.
Example of PAH method performance showing excellent sensitivity and selectivity determined for 50 fg methyl-5-chrysene
Example of PAH method performance showing excellent sensitivity and selectivity determined for 50 fg methyl-5-chrysene on column. 
Example of 14% matrix suppression calculated for crystal violet in shrimp
Example of 14% matrix suppression calculated for crystal violet in shrimp following QuEChERS (DisQuE) extraction and dispersive clean-up.

Webinars and Resources

  • Poster

Poster: Colorful Confections: Analyzing Artificial Food Dyes in Sports Drinks, Gelatins, and Gummies

Poster: Colorful Confections: Analyzing Artificial Food Dyes in Sports Drinks, Gelatins, and Gummies
Download
  • Brochure

Brochure: Acrylamide in Processed Foods

Brochure: Acrylamide in Processed Foods
Download
  • Blog

Blog: Determination of Acrylamide in Processed Foods

Blog: Determination of Acrylamide in Processed Foods
Download
  • White Paper

Whitepaper: Converting PAHs and other SVOCs GC-MS/MS method to Nitrogen Carrier Gas

Whitepaper: Converting PAHs and other SVOCs GC-MS/MS method to Nitrogen Carrier Gas
Download
  • Case Study

Growing Demand in Contaminant Testing Spurs New Methodologies and Technologies

Growing Demand in Contaminant Testing Spurs New Methodologies and Technologies
Download
  • White Paper

Whitepaper: Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Sources: Their Use and Applicability

Whitepaper: Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Sources: Their Use and Applicability
Download
  • Infographic

Infographic: Atlantis Premier C18 AX Column

Infographic: Atlantis Premier C18 AX Column
Download
  • Application Notebook

Notebook: Food contaminants applications notebook

Notebook: Food contaminants applications notebook
Download

Related

Food Contaminant and Residue Testing
Achieve the sensitivity, accuracy and robustness reproducibility, and versatility your lab requires to ensure food safety with Waters food contaminant and residue testing solutions.

Learn more about Process Contaminants and Additives Testing Solutions.

Learn more about Process Contaminants and Additives Testing Solutions.
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