Quantification of Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine in selected chocolate-flavoured drink mixes using high-performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry

► Chocolate-flavoured drink mixes have high Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine contents. ► LC-MS/MS has been developed for the analysis of CML and lysine in drink mixes. ► Delipidation is not needed prior to the analysis of CML in drink mixes. ► Reduction is recommended to prevent the formation of CML during acid hydrolysis. ► In drink mixes CML is formed essentially from carbohydrates but not from fat.