Recent advances in Chinese food authentication and origin verification using isotope ratio mass spectrometry

•China has made significant advances in IRMS food traceability in the last decade.•More than 100 IRMS research papers describe a wide range of foods in China.•Chinese IRMS studies use multi-isotopes combined with chemometric models.•High-accuracy isotope models trace food fraud and mislabeling.•Rapid growth of IRMS food studies in China enhances food safety and quality.