Method validation for the determination of a mixture of authorised and non-authorised sweeteners in food

IRMM is in the process of validating a method for the determination of a mixture of authorised and non-authorised sweeteners in food. The need for multiple analyte methods has been growing since the initial EC legislation (Council Directive 89/107/EEC, as amended by Directive 94/34/EC) and following specialised directives on sweeteners, Directive 94/35/EC, as amended by Directives 96/83/EC and 2003/115/EC, have been published. The IRMM activity is in direct response to the amendments made on initial EC legislation leading to an increased number of authorised sweeteners found on the market in all 25 EU Member States.

IRMM has developed a multi-analyte method for the determination of both authorised sweeteners:
  • sucralose,
  • acesulfame K,
  • aspartame,
  • sodium cyclamate,
  • sodium saccharin,
  • neohesperidine DC
as well as non-authorised sweeteners:
  • neotame,
  • alitame,
  • dulcin
in beverages and tinned fruits using high performance liquid chromatography in combination with an evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD).

Currently, IRMM is soliciting potential collaborators for enrolling in an international collaborative study to test the proposed HPLC-ELSD method for its fitness-for-purpose.

Outline of the study

In principle, the HPLC-ELSD method requires:
  • HPLC-ELSD system equipped with at least a binary gradient pump
  • LC column: Machery-Nagel, NUCLEODUR® C18 Pyramid 5µ, 250 mm x 3 mm
  • SPE equipment for sample clean-up
The general lay-out of the proposed collaborative study is as follows:
  • Analyses of 16 samples i.e. two food matrices spiked with 8 sweeteners differing in their concentration level and of 4 blank samples
  • Calibration curves have to be prepared using a standard solution provided by the IRMM
  • An electronic spreadsheet will be distributed by the IRMM for data processing.
  • IRMM will collate the results for statistical treatment.


Time schedule

Distribution of samples is planned for the second week of January 2007. As a few sweeteners have shown to be unstable, the given period of time for analysis will be very narrow. The analyses shall be carried out within three weeks and the results returned by first week of February 2007. You will be kept informed of the final schedule.

If you are interested in participating, please confirm by returning the attached registration form by fax/e-mail at your earliest convenience, but not later than 30 November 2006.

Registration form (icon 54KB )

If you might know another laboratory having an interest in joining this collaborative trial please feel free to forward the invitation letter. If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact Manuela Buchgraber ().

Invitation letter (icon 26KB )



Last Update 19/10/2006