Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Methods of Analysis of Purity Criteria of Food Additives (Communiqué no: 2002 / 2001) was published by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock in 46. This Communiqué describes the methods of analysis that determine how well the additives used in foodstuffs meet the purity criteria. This paper covers methods of purity criteria analysis of preservatives, colorants and antioxidants.

In the preparation of the mentioned communiqué, 81 / 712 / EEC Food Methods Purity Criteria Analysis Methods Directive issued by the European Union has been taken into consideration within the scope of harmonization studies with the European Union. In this way, laboratories are expected to work within the framework of relevant legal regulations, published standards and tried and proven methods. In addition, the work of laboratories in this way is a necessity in relations with the European Union.

In the Annex of the Communiqué titled General Principles (Annex 1), preparation of the sample for analysis, reagents, devices and materials; and disclosure of results.

Chromatographic methods used in purity analysis are used to purify, separate and quantify various molecules. The basis of the separation by the chromatographic method is that the test sample given in the presence of the mobile phase leaves the column at different times due to the reactions in which it enters a constant phase.

Depending on the mobile phase used in this method, there are generally two types of chromatography: gas chromatography and liquid chromatography. Liquid chromatography is also available in various forms such as ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography and reverse phase chromatography, depending on the physicochemical parameter used in the treatment and separation.

Today, high performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC) is used by laboratories to provide mobile phase at higher pressure and separation at higher resolution.

In the authorized laboratories, various purity analyzes are carried out by chromatographic methods for food additives within the scope of chemical tests. In these test studies, the principles of the communiqué described above and the standards published in our country and in foreign countries are complied with.