Chemical Contaminants

The research on chemical contaminants focuses in particular on veterinary drug residues, environmental, food production and processing contaminants and a range of micronutrients in fresh and processed foods.

The laboratories use a range of modern equipment which include six tandem mass spectrometer instruments. The methods used are comprehensive and sensitive to meet the demands of stakeholders and clients with analytical capabilities for the detection of nearly 200 residues in food, using a suite of validated analytical tests and a range of ISO17025 accredited analyses for >130 residues in different food matrices.

Research and applications include:

• Application of accredited residue methods as part of the national residue monitoring programme for veterinary drug residues.
• Provision of a specialised analytical commercial service to the food industry which supports the food industry in self-monitoring for chemical contaminants. Methods can be adapted to client needs on request.
• The research data and technologies underpin a risk based approach to the control and management of chemical residues in Irish food.