Lena El Sayed is the Business Development Director Food of GBA GROUP, an international life science service company with more than 3,500 employees and a broad range of analytical, logistical and specialist services in the fields of pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, chemicals, food, drinking water and environmental sustainability.
Ms El Sayed holds a Diploma in Food Science and is a certified Lead Auditor for FSSC and ISO 22000 standards, complemented by her training as an Education Officer for Sustainable Development. With a career spanning multiple sectors, she has held key roles in Quality Management and within Educational Institutions, where she has supported capacity building and continuous improvement initiatives. Over the past ten years, she has built an extensive track record in the Testing, Inspection and Control Industry (TIC).
What responsibilities does a company have when placing a product on the market, particularly regarding food safety, labelling, and traceability?
In general, a company that places food on the market within the European Union has a duty of care throughout the entire food supply chain. The responsibility for food safety along the entire chain, from production to processing, storage, transport and distribution, therefore lies with the food business operator.
The company responsible must ensure and verify that it has reduced the risk to the lowest possible level. This may also involve reporting obligations to the competent authorities in the event of certain fi ndings, e.g. pathogens like salmonella.
“Consumers have very high expectations when it comes to regionality and traceability of organic products”
What are the most critical control points in the organic supply chain?
Critical issues can arise along the entire supply chain, from primary production to the end product. Examples include the use of pesticides during cultivation, errors in storage involving moisture, which can lead to the formation of mould toxins, and cross-contamination with allergens, for example. Unfortunately, incorrect labelling is also a recurring problem. In addition, there are numerous residues and contaminants that require special attention as they may be found in the product.
What are the emerging pollutants and which ones pose the greatest risk?
We have been fi nding some residues and contaminants for decades, in varying degrees and depending on the raw material. Pesticides, heavy metals and the afore mentioned mould toxins, so called mycotoxins, are encountered regularly in our everyday laboratory work.
In recent years saturated and unsaturated or aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures from mineral oil have been the focus of attention. These so called MOSH and MOAH have several possible sources of entries, for instance lubricating oils from harvesting and production machinery or migration from food contact material.
A new, specific analysis using GCxGC-TOF/FID now provides an even more detailed overview of the MOAH fractions and enables toxicological evaluation and, in many cases, identifi cation of the source of entry.
“The goal should always be to create a shared concept of quality for which all employees in the company feel equally responsible”
What do today’s consumers expect from an organic product in terms of safety and transparency?
Consumers expect food that is free from any harmful substances, pesticide residues, synthetic fertilisers, antibiotic residues and genetically modifi ed organisms. In addition to ensuring food safety, consumers have very high expectations when it comes to regionality, climate friendliness and traceability of organic products. In times of international supply chains, this often poses a challenge for suppliers of organic products.
What services does GBA GROUP offer the organic sector to guarantee authenticity and traceability?
As a laboratory group, we are also adapting to these increased requirements by offering, for example, pre-shipment inspections in the country of origin or loading inspections, in order to take a representative sample at an early stage of the supply chain.
The development of audit checklists and programmes for customers, with a focus on sustainability and traceability, is also part of our portfolio. It is important to train employees on the customer side accordingly, preferably as a team involving quality management, purchasing, supply chain management, and other stakeholders. The goal should always be to create a shared concept of quality for which all employees in the company feel equally responsible.
Scientifically based Analytics according to the highest Quality Standards
The GBA Group operates sites in Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, India and the United States.
- Further information at www.gba-group.com/en
Published in the BIOFACH 2026 Bio Eco Actual Special Edition.
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