New Testing Option Extends Scope of Food Safety Screening

Foss has extended the availability of software functionality that helps to spot adulterated raw milk. The software allows MilkoScan™ analysers based on Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technology to be programmed to give a warning of possible abnormalities in raw milk samples. MilkoScan instruments are already used around the world to check raw milk for payment and quality assurance purposes.

Raw milk containing abnormalities is a growing problem. The abnormalities can be caused by deliberate adulteration, for example, with lard or melamine or by accidents, for example, if milk from cows and buffalo are mixed.

Previously, the software functionality was only available for the FOSS MilkoScanFT 120 analyser. It is now provided aspart of the Foss Integrator software supporting FOSS dairy analytical solutions.

The ability to programme analysers used in routine testing operations allows users to adopt a screening approach to incoming raw milk samples.

The programmed analyser does not identify specific contaminants, but helps to identify a suspect raw milk sample quickly and as a normal part of everyday testing. The suspect sample can then be further analysed to
determine the contaminant.

The system works by monitoring the results of analysis performed using infrared spectroscopy. Looking at raw milk from a spectroscopic point of view, natural raw milk has a particular spectrum – a unique fingerprint. It is possible to programme an infrared spectroscopy analyser to recognise the spectra (or fingerprint) representing normal milk. A warning is then given when samples do not match the fingerprint.