CHAPTER 21. Standardization of DNA-based Methods for Food Authenticity Testing

This chapter describes the current European and international standardization activities with regard to methods for food authenticity testing based on the detection of nucleic acid sequences [polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing]. At the Comite Europeen de Normalisation (CEN) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) two committees have begun to systematically establish European and international standards applied for DNA-based detection and identification of animal species. Currently, the key focus is to establish general requirements and criteria for the relevant performance parameters of PCR and DNA sequencing methods. At the same time, species-specific PCR and DNA sequencing protocols (for fish and meat) are being evaluated and standardised. The current work status of the different projects and the cooperation and relationship between the committees is described.