Editorial

While in the June issue of Food Science and Technology we explored the likelihood of food fraud risks increasing during the pandemic, the December issue focuses on recent advances in monitoring food authentication. A wide range of approaches and cutting edge analytical techniques, such as next generation DNA sequencing and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, make up the toolbox for monitoring food authentication (p26). While we cannot expect to eliminate all food fraud, the challenge for analysts is to stay one jump ahead of the fraudsters.

Different animal species are often used as adulterants in foods and their detection has become increasingly important. A new database tool has been developed to assist food testing laboratories with the selection of appropriate methods and primers for use in DNA barcoding of animal species (p34). The aim is to validate the analytical approach so that results will stand up in court. A new food assurance Kitemark from BSI, which verifies product claims and customer promises, can help to guard against activities in the supply chain that might lead to adulterated and counterfeit products (p31). It offers an opportunity to build trust and transparency with consumers.

The recently established EU Knowledge Centre for Food Fraud and Quality provides up‐to‐date information concerning food fraud and quality issues (p24). It is developing an early warning system for EU food supply chains and seeks to encourage cooperation between Member States to tackle fraud issues. It is clear that collaboration along supply chains and across national boundaries is essential if we are to reduce the risk of food fraud.

We also address topics relating to managing the COVID‐19 pandemic within food businesses and issues of concern to the food industry surrounding Brexit. The future is very uncertain at present, but planning ahead and co‐operation within the food sector should lead to more positive outcomes in 2021.

I am very pleased to welcome Dr Caroline Eliot to the FS&T Advisory Board and look forward to working with her.

I would like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a more hopeful and prosperous 2021.

email mb@biophase.co.uk

Letters to the editor about any of the articles published in Food Science and Technology are welcomed

中文翻译：

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社论和新闻

社论

在6月刊的《食品科学与技术》中，我们探讨了大流行期间食品欺诈风险增加的可能性，而12月号则着重于监测食品认证的最新进展。广泛的方法和前沿的分析技术，例如下一代DNA测序和核磁共振，构成了监控食品认证的工具箱（p26）。尽管我们不能期望消除所有的食品欺诈行为，但分析师所面临的挑战是要领先于欺诈者。

不同的动物种类经常被用作食品中的掺假品，其检测变得越来越重要。已开发出一种新的数据库工具来协助食品检测实验室选择用于动物物种DNA条形码的合适方法和引物（p34）。目的是验证分析方法，以便结果能在法庭上站出来。BSI的新食品保证Kitemark可以验证产品声明和客户承诺，可以帮助防止可能导致掺假和假冒产品的供应链活动（p31）。它提供了与消费者建立信任和透明度的机会。

最近建立的欧盟食品欺诈和质量知识中心提供有关食品欺诈和质量问题的最新信息（p24）。它正在为欧盟食品供应链开发预警系统，并寻求鼓励成员国之间的合作以解决欺诈问题。显然，如果我们要减少食品欺诈的风险，那么沿着供应链和跨越国界的合作至关重要。

我们还讨论与食品企业内部管理COVID-19大流行有关的主题以及与英国脱欧相关的食品行业所关注的问题。目前的前途未卜，但食品行业的超前计划和合作将在2021年带来更积极的成果。

我非常高兴地欢迎Caroline Eliot博士加入FS＆T顾问委员会，并期待与她合作。

我希望大家圣诞快乐，并祝愿2021年更加繁荣。

电子邮件mb@biophase.co.uk

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