prSRPS EN 18441-1:2026

Food authenticity — Guidance on the collection of reference samples for the construction of authenticity databases — Part 1: Concepts, terms and definitions

Scope

This document provides guidance on the collection of agricultural commodities, primary foodstuffs, and slightly processed foods e.g. honey, reference samples for the development of authenticity databases.
It ensures that such databases contain data derived from reference food samples that are representative of the defined scope of the database.
The document outlines practical methodologies for collecting reference samples at source and along the supply chain, if this is possible, for use in authenticity databases (examples are given for illustration. The protocol emphasizes the importance of homogeneity, integrity, and traceable provenance when sourcing reference samples, emphasizing the importance of homogeneity, integrity, and traceable provenance.
This NWIP is linked to the first commodity specific sampling standard « Food authenticity — Guidance on the collection of reference samples for the construction of authenticity databases — Part 2: Honey ». It is anticipated that subsequent standards in this series will focus on additional commodities such as olive oil.
The scope of this standard does not encompass, but refers to, legal and normative definitions of food or compositional requirements.