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Ad hoc material for proficiency testing: freeze-dried liver

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Abstract

One of the tasks of European Union Reference Laboratories (EURLs) for feed and food is the organization of proficiency testing (PTs) for the network of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) of EU member states according to the area of competence. This crucial assignment leads the EURL for Chemical Elements in Food of Animal Origin (EURL-CEFAO) to plan PTs that include various chemical element/matrix/concentration combinations in order to organize a profitable exercise for its network. The purpose of this paper was to describe the “step-by-step” preparation of a PT material and the efforts of an EURL to provide proper test items to national laboratories (NRLs). The exercise was tailored to train participants and give them the opportunity to practice around the maximum levels (MLs) set in EU legislation, values at which sample acceptance is the critical issue. The EURL strategy has been chosen considering the role of the NRLs that could be summoned as third party in legal controversies. A PT on the determination of cadmium and lead in freeze-dried liver was then scheduled. The goal was to achieve a sample with a mass fraction (w) of the elements around the ML (0.50 mg/kg for both). Preliminary studies allowed the EURL to calculate the amount of spike to reach the target mass fractions. The target Cd and Pb mass fractions were in good agreement with the contents found in the frame of the homogeneity test as well as with the consensus values derived from the results reported by the PT participants. This proved the suitability of the production procedures and the quality of the delivered PT test items.

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Acknowledgments

This work has been carried out with the financial support of the SANCO 2005/Food SAFETY/003-Residues Program of the European Commission. The contents of this manuscript are the sole responsibility of the authors and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission. Authors thank Daniela Pino for editorial assistance on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Union Reference Laboratory for Chemical Elements in Food of Animal Origin (EURL-CEFAO), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy

    Andrea Colabucci, Maria Ciprotti & Laura Ciaralli

  2. Department of Food Safety and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy

    Alessandra Sepe

Authors
  1. Andrea Colabucci
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  2. Alessandra Sepe
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  3. Maria Ciprotti
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  4. Laura Ciaralli
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Correspondence to Andrea Colabucci.

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Colabucci, A., Sepe, A., Ciprotti, M. et al. Ad hoc material for proficiency testing: freeze-dried liver. Accred Qual Assur 20, 367–372 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-015-1153-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-015-1153-0

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