Thermo Fisher Launches Orbitrap Exploris EFOX for Environmental and Food Safety Testing

Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced a new high-resolution mass spectrometry system designed specifically for environmental and food safety laboratories. The Orbitrap Exploris EFOX Mass Detector (EFOX, short for Environmental and Food Organic Xenobiotics)is built specifically for contaminant monitoring (1).

The instrument is aimed at laboratories tackling persistent contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pesticides, and other organic pollutants—areas of growing concern for both public health and environmental regulation. According to Thermo Fisher, the system combines high-resolution accurate mass (HRAM) analysis with workflow simplicity suited to everyday testing (1,2).

“Environmental and food safety laboratories are being asked to do more with less,” said Lidija Raicevic, vice president and environmental and food safety lead at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “The Orbitrap Exploris EFOX enables high-confidence analysis of PFAS, pesticides, and other contaminants, making high-resolution testing more accessible and efficient for labs worldwide.” (1)

While traditional high-resolution mass spectrometers are often adapted from research platforms, the Exploris EFOX has been developed for routine use from the outset. It applies Thermo Fisher’s Orbitrap technology—long used in proteomics and small molecule research—to the quantification of trace-level contaminants (1).

The EFOX system enables laboratories to move from sample to results while maintaining data quality and throughput. Its software and minimal setup are intended to lower the barrier to high-resolution analysis in quality control and regulatory testing environments (1,2).

Responding to Pressures on Testing Laboratories

Analytical labs are under increasing pressure to deliver faster, more reliable results while navigating complex regulations and constrained budgets. Thermo Fisher positions the EFOX as a solution to streamline workflows and reduce operational costs. By capturing full-scan, high-resolution data, the system supports retrospective analysis—allowing users to re-examine data for newly identified compounds without reinjecting samples, a significant time and cost advantage (1).

Integrated Data and Workflow Management

The EFOX system is fully compatible with Thermo Scientific’s Chromeleon Chromatography Data System (CDS), which provides guided workflows for data processing and reporting. The software integration is designed to simplify method setup, minimize training needs, and shorten review cycles. When paired with the Thermo Scientific Vanquish dual-channel ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC), the system offers enhanced flexibility for both targeted and untargeted analyses (1).

In addition to the Orbitrap platform, Thermo Fisher will continue to support triple quadrupole workflows through the TSQ Altis Plus EFOX MS, a version of its TSQ Altis Plus mass spectrometer optimized for environmental and food applications (1).

A Step Toward Broader Access to HRAM Testing

With the launch of the Orbitrap Exploris EFOX, Thermo Fisher is extending high-resolution, accurate-mass capabilities into regulatory and routine testing environments—a move that could help laboratories meet rising demands for contaminant detection and compliance monitoring. As global concern over pollutants such as PFAS continues to grow, the company’s latest addition underscores an industry shift toward more accessible, data-rich testing platforms (1).

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References

1. Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches Industry-First Orbitrap Mass Detector for Environmental and Food Safety Testing. Press release. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023335383/en/Thermo-Fisher-Scientific-Launches-Industry-First-Orbitrap-Mass-Detector-for-Environmental-and-Food-Safety-Testing(accessed 2025-10-23)
2. Introducing the Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris EFOX Mass Detector for Accurate and Efficient Testing. Thermo Fisher website.https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/c/b/environmental-food-analysis-solutions.html (accessed 2025-10-23)