Oritain Science
ABOUT OUR SCIENCE
Our science gets to
the truth of the matter.
Unlike traditional traceability methods, Oritain’s forensic science tests the product or raw material itself to pinpoint the location of origin – to prove where a product comes from and whether it’s sourced authentically and responsibly.
Science can tell you the true origin of a product. Plants and animals are creatures of their environment and what they eat or drink is absorbed into their flesh, leaving natural concentrations of trace elements and isotopes. This is what we measure.
Proof of origin lies in nature
Every part of the environment is made up of different levels of chemical elements and isotopes, which give products a unique and inherent chemical fingerprint based on their origin.
Our forensic science tests the product or raw material itself to verify whether a product is sourced authentically and responsibly.
Mapping global cotton production
Oritain science has mapped over 95% of the world's cotton producing countries, providing an unparalleled view of global cotton production.
The reference pool of cotton producing countries is defined as the countries which account for 1% or more of the global production, as outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service for Global Cotton Statistics (2023 Harvests, updated April 2024 - Cotton Explorer (usda.gov)).
The origins of our science
Our science originated in the criminal forensic fields. Developed to determine drug provenance and solve homicide investigations, the robustness of the science is well proven.
It is peer reviewed and subject to the scrutiny that comes with journal publications – so there is no tolerance for errors and inaccuracy. We have taken this same science and used it to trace the origin of products.
How do we prove where food products from?
Results are reported to the customer. Certification and marketing opportunities can be leveraged for consumers.
Oritain measures the natural intrinsic properties of a product to verify its origin. Once we have created an Origin Fingerprint, it can never be tampered with, replicated or destroyed, and will be used to audit products at different points in the supply chain.
Traditional traceability requires the product to have some form of paper / label-based traceability systems. The accuracy of information is only as good as what’s claimed on the label. If these are removed or tampered with as the product moves through the supply chain, traceability is lost.
