Review of the current methods of analytical traceability allowing determination of the origin of foodstuffs

Modern analytical techniques, in particular molecular biology techniques, can determine the plant or animal species present in a foodstuff. It is actually very difficult to determine the geographical origin of a food. The new European regulation 178/2002, applicable on January 1st, 2005 imposes this requirement for the traceability of food. This article gives a progress report on the physicochemical and microbiological analytical techniques available which make it possible to determine the origin of a food with some precision.