Forensic origin verification for retailers, producers and global supply chains.
Source Certain verifies product origin by testing physical samples to ensure they match the origin information provided in digital or physical documentation.
We are expert practitioners in Trace Element Analysis (TEA) and Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA). We use our expertise in both trace element analysis and isotopic testing to deliver superior origin information compared to other providers.
Industries we work with
Read our case studies
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Protecting Australian Bravo™ apple brand
Source Certain runs an origin verification program for WA Farm Direct (WFD), the licenced owner and original developer of boutique apple variety Bravo™. The program covers all orchards across Australia and enables verification of the apple worldwide.
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Origin verification of Solomon Islands teak
Source Certain contributed its provenance science technology to a world-first program investigating how trace element analysis and stable isotope ratio analysis can be used to identify discrete growing regions for teak cultivated on Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands.
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Verifying Australian wild prawns
Australia’s wild prawn industry has been partnered with Source Certain for more than six years to safeguard the integrity of Australian wild prawns and to strengthen the industry's security and sustainability credentials.
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Reid Fruits boutique cherries
Reid Fruits partnered with Source Certain to mitigate substitution risks for their premium cherries in export markets. The project resulted in a comprehensive database covering all growing locations, supported by extensive seasonal in-market testing.
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Cocoa country of origin study
Explore Source Certain’s comprehensive cocoa origin determination study, which demonstrates that trace element analysis can verify both the country of origin and the specific plantation of origin for cocoa.
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Tasmanian Oyster Co. lease verification
Source Certain’s origin verification service applied trace element analysis to a large sample of Pacific oysters harvested from Tasmanian Oyster Co. bays. The technology successfully distinguished oysters from individual bays and even from specific leases within each bay.
Read moreExpert team, expert results.
The expertise of our technical team enables us to provide source verification services to a diverse range of clients across both private and government sectors. We have clients in the retail, food production, mining, government, law enforcement, aquaculture, and agriculture sectors.
We use trusted science to build confidence in important origin information.
Every project is supported by a highly experienced team of scientists who understand the complexities of global supply chains and the chemical signatures that define origin.
From horticulture products to wood and timber product testing, our capabilities allow us to identify, verify and trace materials back to their true source. This evidence-based approach provides clients with reliable origin information to support sustainability goals, regulatory compliance and consumer trust.
What our clients have to say
Josh Poke
Strategic Projects ManagerWe were pleasantly surprised with the data that Source Certain were able to provide. Not only were we able to see the difference between the regional locations of our oysters, but Source Certain were able to demonstrate that there were identifiable markers evident within bays that were only 500 metres apart. The team at Source Certain were informative and very easy to deal with.
Tony Coad
Manager, Marketing and SalesThe sampling analysis reports were fascinating for us and easy to follow. They were clearly able to identify and verify the provenance of cherries to the orchard of origin.
Annie Jarrett
ChairWe want consumers to have the confidence that when they buy Australian Wild Prawns, that’s what they are getting. Working with the Source Certain team and the provenance technology, gives consumers the ability to trust our provenance claims and can also track our Australian wild prawns back to the fisheries where they were caught.
How it works in 4 simple steps
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Provenance database
We establish the ability to verify your products by collecting samples from known and approved sourcing locations. Our service is easy to integrate into existing supply chains and systems.
Product sample collection
Our team collects samples of your product that is for sale in the market (including from online and physical stores) that require verification of marketed, on-pack or label claims.
Product sample verification
Our technical team check if samples match the verified source in the established Provenance Database. We use two scientific methods: Trace Element Analysis (TEA) + Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA).
Report and support your team
Our job doesn’t stop after issuing a report. We provide comprehensive post-report support and guidance on next steps and problem areas.
Trusted in Australia and the world for over 40 years
500,000+
Samples analysed
20+
Industries serviced
40+
Years of research backing methodologies
3
Global office locations
- Colorado USA
- York UK
- Perth AUS
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to an expertWhat methods does Source Certain utilise for verification?
Source Certain uses scientific origin verification to analyse the chemical composition of products. Our methods include Trace Element Analysis (TEA) and Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis (SIRA), which identify the unique chemical signatures of materials. These results are compared with verified reference samples to confirm whether a product’s claimed origin is accurate, providing origin verification that our client can trust.
What are some of the most common sources of food fraud?
Food fraud often occurs through the substitution, mislabelling, dilution or adulteration of products. Products such as seafood, apples, wine, coffee and infant formula are commonly affected. Fraud in these industries can mislead consumers, distort market value and damage brand reputation. Food origin verification through Source Certain provides an evidence-based way to detect and prevent these issues.
How do trace element analysis and isotopic testing methods differ from other methods?
Unlike barcode scanning or digital declarations that rely on human reporting, Source Certain’s approach tests the product itself. Trace element and isotopic testing identify variations in a product’s chemical profile that relate to where it was grown, harvested or mined. This provides objective, scientific evidence of origin that cannot be falsified through documentation alone, offering a more comprehensive method for source verification.
Can Source Certain verify that products came from specific regions?
Yes. Using TEA and SIRA testing methods, Source Certain can verify whether a product originated from a particular site, region or source. This level of accuracy enables businesses to prove authenticity, protect their supply chains, and demonstrate compliance with sustainability and ethical sourcing requirements, going beyond common supply chain certification services that typically provide country of origin information.
Does Source Certain provide certification services?
Certifications are important, but they do not guarantee that the final product on the shelf has come from the certified locations. Source Certain provides verification services, rather than certification services, allowing you to manage misreporting risk and stay true to your ESG goals by verifying the origin data of your products.
What is the difference between product verification and product certification?
Product verification links products to their specific origin through physical product tests. This can be conducted at any point in the supply chain to ensure that the products sold on the shelf have originated from where they claim.
Product certification is specific to a location and concerns practices, processes, knowledge and skills that go into producing a product. This requires compliance via an audit function.
Actionable provenance insights for leaders
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