RAINBOW BARFI
LC-MS interface
Peanut Allergy
INDEPENDENT
IMPARTIAL
IN-DEPTH
History
Frederick Accum published A Treatise on Adulterations of Food and Culinary Poisons in 1820, where he revealed the scams that were being perpetrated and named and shamed the culprits. The book was better known as Death in the Pot part of a quotation from the Book of Kings included on the cover of the second edition.
Food adulteration is as old as trade in food, but it was not until the industrial revolution that it really took off. Frederick Accum, shown opposite at the Surrey Institution in 1809, was one of the first chemists to highlight the frauds that were around at the time. The first public analysts were appointed in Britain the 1860s and 70s, and the role, although much changed, exists to this day. The Public Analyst Service Ltd was formed in 1998 to allow public analysts to work jointly. After a period of dormancy the company, under the ownership of Duncan Campbell, now aims to provide an independent service to regulators, businesses and individuals.
Dr Duncan Campbell
A Public Analyst and Agricultural Analyst of over 20 years' experience with access to extensive accredited laboratory services. Able to source analysis that is fit for purpose and provide interpretive reporting coupled with authoritative opinion. Considerable knowledge of UK and EU food and feed legislation. Expert witness experience in both criminal and civil proceedings: drink driving, food production and allergy-related incidents.
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Media
With ITV reporter Jonathan Maitland during filming for ITV’s Tonight Programme (2018)
It can be difficult to convey complex scientific or legal information that is both accurate and understandable, be it in the witness box, as part of a TV programme or in print. Media work has included interviews for the Today Programme, The Food Programme, Farming Today, Inside Science and You and Yours on Radio 4 as well as contributions to documentaries and current affairs programmes such as Fake Britain, Panorama and Tonight. More recent appearances are Subway: How Do They Really Do It? (Channel 5 February 2022) and Series 2 of Expert Witness (BBC 1 November 2022) .
I have the relevant qualifications and experience to act as a Public Analyst and Agricultural Analyst and can direct the analysis of samples through a number of Official Control Laboratories, National Reference Laboratories and niche commercial laboratories. Where possible the analysis will be carried out using methods accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service to the ISO 17025 standard. Advice on sampling strategies and programmes is available in line with the relevant codes of practice.
With a long interest in wider aspects of public protection I can also assist in any matter where testing and analysis is involved, be it toys, hand sanitisers, electrical items or general consumer goods.
Local authoritieS
Whether you are just starting or work for a major retailer or manufacturer I may be able to help you find answers, helping to frame the question, source analysis or testing, putting the results into an appropriate context and representing your interests.
food businesseS
Individuals
When working with print or broadcast media my aim is to allow you to convey what may be complex scientific or legal information in a way that that is accessible, accurate and understandable.
Media
An expert witness’ duty is always to the court. As a Public and Agricultural Analyst I can act for food and feed business in relation to second portions of formal samples provided that no conflict of interest arises. As an Authorised Analyst under road traffic legislation I’m able to provide technical defences in relation to drink driving. With a broadly based knowledge of food and feed manufacture, composition, labelling, foreign bodies, allergens and legislation I’m happy to advise when appropriate.
Civil / criminal lawyers
