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Chemical Contaminant Analysis

Integrated analysis of process- and environmental contaminants across the value chain. Covers acrylamide, furan, PAH, PFAS and other regulated parameters within one analytical programme.

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From Process to Environment – One Integrated Analytical Approach

A plowed field with young green wheat stretches across the landscape on a sunny autumn day.

Chemical contaminants can enter food unintentionally during production, via raw materials, or through environmental exposure. Process contaminants form through reactions such as heating, roasting, refining, frying, smoking or chemical treatment (e.g., acrylamide, 3‑MCPD, furan, PAH). Environmental contaminants enter via soil, water, air or industrial emissions (e.g., heavy metals, dioxins/PCBs, PFAS).

We analyse all EU-regulated contaminants using LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, GC-HRMS, ICP-MS and headspace GC/MSD, ensuring sensitive and regulation-compliant determination across food and feed matrices.

Process vs. Environmental Contaminants

Chemical contaminants are differentiated based on their primary origin, as this directly determines regulatory assessment, analytical strategy and risk interpretation.

Process Contaminants

Formed during food processing or preparation.

Examples: Acrylamide, 3‑MCPD, glycidyl esters, PAHs, furan.

Regulatory focus: Minimisation concepts, benchmark levels, matrix-specific maximum levels.

Environmental Contaminants

Introduced via environmental exposure, agricultural background or contaminated raw materials.

Examples: Heavy metals, PFAS, nitrates.

Regulatory focus: Maximum levels, long‑term exposure, carry-over control.

A diverse group of people collaborating in a laboratory setting, engaged in scientific research and experimentation.

PFAS Analysis – Specialist Expertise

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) require ultra‑trace detection, strict contamination control and compound-group-specific evaluation concepts.

Through Institut Kuhlmann, we integrate specialised PFAS expertise for food and feed testing, covering targeted PFAS determination and regulatory‑relevant sum‑parameter approaches.

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Parameter Portfolio

Quantitative and qualitative determination of chemical contaminants using complementary analytical approaches.

Process Contaminants

Unintentionally formed during thermal/chemical treatment or contact with processing materials.

Methods: LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS.

Common analytes: Acrylamide, 3-MCPD, glycidyl esters, PAHs, furan.

Environmental Contaminants

Entered via soil, water, air or raw‑material contamination.

Methods: ICP-MS (elements), LC-MS/MS (PFAS, polar contaminants).

Common analytes: Lead, cadmium,  mercury, PFAS, nitrates.

Analytical Methods

A range of complementary analytical methods is applied, selected according to the specific contaminant and matrix. Modern laboratory infrastructure ensures reliable, cross-validated results for compliance and risk assessment.
Elemental Contaminants

ICP-MS

Elemental contaminants such as heavy metals are determined at ultra-trace levels using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Enables multi-element analysis with high sensitivity and robustness across food and feed matrices.

Persistent Organic Contaminants

GC-HRMS / GC-MS/MS

High-resolution and tandem mass spectrometry for persistent organic contaminants at ultra-trace level. Applied to 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters from oil and fat refining and to dioxins and PCBs.

Polar & Thermolabile Contaminants

LC-MS/MS

Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for polar and thermolabile contaminants. Covers acrylamide in starchy foods as well as PFAS and other polar parameters requiring low detection limits.

Origin‑ & Source‑Specific Methods

Headspace GC-MS

Static headspace sampling coupled to mass spectrometry for volatile contaminants that would be lost during conventional extraction. Applied to furan and methylfurans in coffee, baby food and canned products.

Analytical Interpretation

Assessment based on maximum levels, guidance values and orientation values, depending on the contaminant and regulatory framework.
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Process Contaminants

Assessment follows benchmark levels under Regulation (EU) 2017/2158 and matrix-specific maximum levels. Results depend strongly on process parameters, so mitigation measures are evaluated alongside the measured value.

Typical matrices:  Cereals/cereal-based products, baked goods, coffee, cocoa-containing products, potato products (e.g., chips, French fries), roasted or strongly heated foods (e.g., nuts, breakfast cereals).

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Environmental Contaminants

Assessment follows matrix-specific maximum levels; accumulation in fatty tissue and carry-over from feed determine which matrices are critical. Long-term exposure is the decisive factor rather than the single result.

Typical matrices: Fish, seafood, meat, milk, eggs, cereals/cereal products, fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils, high-fat foods.

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PFAS – Risk-Oriented Interpretation

PFAS assessment requires compound-group‑specific evaluation rather than isolated single-substance interpretation. Regulatory relevance depends on sum parameters, detection limits and evolving legal thresholds.

Typical applications: Retail monitoring, authority dialogue, risk‑based decision making.

Illustration Law

Regulatory Framework

Chemical contaminants are regulated via matrix-specific maximum levels under Regulation (EU) 2023/915 and associated implementing acts. For process contaminants, Regulation (EU) 2017/2158 additionally sets benchmark levels and mitigation measures for acrylamide. Analysis and interpretation must consider processing effects, contamination origin and legal definitions.

UK market: EU-derived maximum levels apply under UK retained EU law, with assessment against the applicable UK legislation.

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Elements & Ions

Full ICP-MS panel – heavy metals as contaminants and nutritional minerals in one analytical programme. Arsenic speciation available.

Explore Elements & Ions