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The Right Way to Test Cashmere & Animal Fur

Due to the fact that cashmere suppliers abuse the limits of traditional microscope testing, there has been an epidemic of fake cashmere in the market. There are few labs in the world that can identify cashmere correctly and only one lab Asia that can provide the accurate MALDI-TOF animal fiber testing offered by FITI.

The Species Identification of Animals by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry (SIAM) method was developed to overcome the limits of microscopy, such as a high dependency on the technician’s skills and experience. This method is based on the principle that the amino acid sequence of keratin differs from species to species. Because keratin remains stable in heat, unlike DNA, this method can also be used for products that have undergone bleaching, scouring, dyeing, and other finishes. As a result, the SIAM method allows for very rapid and accurate analysis.

"One and Only" Animal Fiber Testing Institute in Asia - FITI

FITI is a world-class laboratory for animal fiber analysis and is the only lab in Korea that is approved by Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI). With this international recognition of our technical expertise, we will continue to protect the interests of manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) annually surveyed fur products in the U.S. market and found several retailers that mislabeled fur and faux fur products. In response to these findings, HSUS petitioned the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to indict false advertisement in the labeling of fur garments and to impose civil and criminal penalties. Similarly, CCMI is monitoring false labeling in regions including US, Europe, and Asia.

FITI Testing & Research Institute is a globally leading laboratory in the SIAM method with an extensive database of protein fingerprints for various animal species including, but not limited to, cashmere, yak, raccoon, mink, muskrat, and fox. Due to a wide range of experience and accurate testing capabilities, FITI protects the interests of everyone involved in the testing process.