New test to verify organic vegetables
A senior researcher at GNS Science is using a novel test that can verify if vegetables in the supermarket have been grown organically.
Karyne Rogers of GNS Science’s Stable Isotope Laboratory in Lower Hutt said the method was an inexpensive way to verify the organic status of vegetables by distinguishing between vegetables grown with organic or industrially made fertilisers.
A criteria in growing organic vegetables is that only organic fertiliser, usually animal manure, is used. As vegetables grow, they incorporate nitrogen from the fertiliser and it is this nitrogen which is analysed. The nitrogen isotope signatures of animal manure and industrial fertiliser are quite different.
“It’s an independent check on the growing regime. As far as I am aware, this is the first simple reliable test for organic vegetables in New Zealand,” Dr Rogers said. “Consumers need independent checks for produce that cost significantly more because of its label.”
Clients can obtain results within 10 days of submitting samples, and the test can be done at any stage during vegetable growth. This method can also determine if vegetables are grown hydroponically, or naturally in soil.
A similar isotope technique using carbon can be used to determine if vegetables, such as tomatoes, have been grown in a greenhouse heated by fossil fuels. Dr Rogers said these new tests were an extension of the food testing that the Stable Isotope Laboratory has been doing for the past 12 years.
“Since 1996 we have been testing orange juice for the beverage industry to determine if sugar or tap water has been added.”
“We also offer a test for the honey industry to determine if bees have been fed sugar or if glucose has been added to increase the volume of the honey.”
Dr Rogers’ team is developing isotope-based tests that would determine if produce labelled “NZ Grown” was in fact grown in New Zealand.
Isotope analysis techniques offered the food industry a quick and reliable way to boost the confidence in labelling, Dr Rogers said.
Ok great, but how does the humble consumer find out if the selected orange juice contains tap water, or if the bees have been fed glucose syrup,etc. ?
I guess its about the brand you can trust and quality, but I get your point. Demeter and Bio-Grow certified producers will not be feeding their bees glucose syrup. The best container for orange juice is an orange and you can add your own tap water 😉
Mass produced food is a bit scary.
Tim D
Hi, I’m Karyne, the said scientist above. We also test juice and honey to see if there is added sugar, or if contrated juice has been diluted and sold as fresh juice, or simply watered down. Also have developped tests to see if your free range eggs are truely free range. It is all about understanding the pathway of nutrients in food ie where they come from.
http://www.gns.cri.nz/stable
What does a test cost?
usually around $50-60.
The only guarantee a consumer has is to look for a certified organic lable (eg BioGro) on the product. So many marketers use the words natural, organic etc but have no independant verification by auditors that they have met an organic standard.
Mike