Influence of manufacturing conditions and discrimination of Northern Spanish cheeses using multi‐element analysis

Thirty‐three samples of cheeses belonging to different Protected Designation of Origin (PDOs) located in Northern Spain were analysed with the aim of studying the influence of processing conditions on the minerals and trace elements content in cheeses. The use of sheep milk, animal rennet, salting by immersion in a brine bath and ripening in cheeses reported, in general, the highest levels of trace elements. Moreover, pattern recognition analysis of multi‐elemental data, based on mineral and trace element content, was used to determine geographical traceability and to detect possible imitations with a correct classification in 98.5% of cases.