Direct and indirect analytical methods are the two general approaches in quantifying MCPD esters and glycidyl esters. Direct methods determine the individual MCPD and glycidyl esters while indirect methods determine free MCPD and glycidol that have been liberated from their derivative analogues. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. The direct methods, obviously, have the advantage of being more direct, requiring a minor degree of sample preparation and thereby having little chance of being impaired by errors originating from cumbersome preparation procedures. Besides, direct methods provide detailed information on the chemical structure of the esters. However, they have a disadvantage when proper quantification requires that several reference and standard compounds to be available for use. To make things worse, for the unknown glycidyl derivatives that may be present in any sample or matrix, the compounds might not be detected because there is no prior knowledge of their analytical characteristics. In contrast, despite the major drawback of the need for long sample preparation steps, indirect analytical methods allow for the determination of all MCPD and glycidyl derivatives as long as they undergo transesterification to release their free forms. The complexity of the analytes composition requires selective separation and advanced detection equipment which become a limitation to small- scale laboratories. Thus, the indirect analytical approach seems to be better suited for a wider group of researchers and for routine analyses because fewer standards and simpler instruments (e.g. gas chromatography/mass spectrometry equipment) are required.