AOAC International, a non-profit scientific organization specializing in the development and standardization of validated analytical methods, has approved the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) method—which was developed jointly by Brunswick Laboratories, Southborough, MA, and the USDA—as a First Action Official Method for measuring antioxidants in foods. This decision comes after extensive review by an AOAC expert review panel (ERP) chaired by James Harnly of USDA.

A release from AOAC International stated, “The ERP agreed that the method provides good information, particularly on the analytical range and LOD (limits of detection). The method is applicable to several different foods, covering a wide range of matrixes. Other advantages include simple extraction, use of common instruments, and testing was done on high levels.”