IMPORTED FOODS A Laboratory Perspective Presented by Tim Reddan - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

IMPORTED FOODS A Laboratory Perspective

Presented by Tim Reddan Thursday 19 June 2018 FBIA General Meeting QT Hotels Canberra

Functions of NMI

• Purpose to ensure international recognition of

a national measurement infrastructure

• Microbiological Analysis
• Food Allergen Analysis
• Food Chemical Analysis
• Environmental Analysis
• Sports Drug Testing
• Illicit Drug analysis

Australia’s peak measurement organisation, responsible for the national measurement infrastructure (biological, chemical, legal, physical and trade measurement) and for maintaining Australia’s primary standards of measurement

• Time
• Physical Metrology – Mass, Length, Frequency
• Legal Metrology
• Reference Material Production
• Proficiency Testing Schemes
• Trade Measurement

Analytical Services Branch (ASB)

Generally Fee for Service Operation, mandate is to maintain a strategic capability for Australia while recovering costs

Services Range Across:

• Environment, Resources, Health and Food

Broad Stakeholder Base:

• Government (local, state and federal regulation and enforcement)
• Industry (agriculture, food processors and retailers, other laboratories)
• Tertiary education sector
• Media

Quality Systems Approach

ISO 17025 accreditation covers the total laboratory operation in terms of:

• Management systems and Administrative processes
• Elements of service provision and customer management
• Elements of supplier approval and traceability of standard materials
• Equipment maintenance and calibration
• Records management
• Electronic systems e.g. LIMS and in-house applications such as Excel or Access based systems with embedded macros
• Test Method validity, application and control

ISO 17025 Overview

Analytical Controls / Quality Assurance

How Do Laboratories Ensure Testing is Sound?

Laboratory equipment, materials, processes and staff competencies are monitored and maintained to ensure a sound testing outcome in compliance to Quality Criteria.

• Work performed by trained staff and overseen/reviewed by the authorising analyst(s)
• Equipment (instruments, automated pipettes, calibrated glassware, balances etc) is properly maintained, monitored to ensure

performance and in calibration

• Chemical standards are within expiry, checked and are traceable in accordance to ISO Guide 34 “Requirements for the competence of

reference material producers”

• Appropriate reference materials (Controls) and/or Recoveries are included in each analytical batch with outcomes checked for

compliance and charted

• Duplicate analysis and blanks

New South Wales and Victoria:

• ALS Food and Pharmaceutical (Melbourne

laboratory also handles samples that are subject to biosecurity control)

• Phone (03) 8756 8111 (Melbourne) Email

FoodAustralia@ALSGlobal.com Phone (02) 8832 7500 (Sydney) Email FoodAustralia@ALSGlobal.com Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria:

• DTS Food Assurance (Brisbane, Melbourne and

Sydney laboratories also handle samples that are subject to biosecurity control)

• Phone (03) 8371 7610 (Brisbane, Melbourne and

Sydney) Email clientservices@dtsfoodassurance.com.au South Australia only:

• SA Analytical Laboratory Services
• Phone 1300 386 811 (Adelaide) Email

lab@saals.com.au Select a laboratory that is able to test your samples: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/inspection- compliance/information-importers/laboratory-nomination-form Australia-wide:

• Agrifood Technology
• Phone (03) 9742 0555 (Melbourne) Email lab.vic@agrifood.com.au
• National Measurement Institute (Melbourne and Sydney

laboratories also handle samples that are subject to biosecurity control)

• Phone (03) 9644 4888 (Melbourne and Sydney) Email

food@measurement.gov.au

• Symbio Laboratories (Brisbane laboratory also handles samples

that are subject to biosecurity control)

• Phone 1300 703 166 Email admin@symbiolabs.com.au

All states/territories except South Australia:

• Mérieux NutriSciences trading as Silliker Australia (Melbourne,

Perth and Sydney laboratories also handle samples that are subject to biosecurity control)

• Phone (03) 8878 2100 (Brisbane/Melbourne/Perth/Sydney) Email

sales.au@mxns.com

Appointed Analysts

Appointed analysts:

• distribute laboratory reports directly to importers/brokers as part of

their commercial obligations.

• are not to withhold results because of payment issues between the

analysts and importer/brokers.

• any sub-contract testing are responsible for the reporting of results

back to the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Imported Food Inspection Scheme for those tests within the 10 business day turnaround time (may be longer if there is confirmation of Salmonella results).

• may be requested by the importers (through the DAWR IFIS) not to

test samples after they have been registered at the laboratory.

• are required to supply the courier or agents with suitable equipment.

Samples must be transported under appropriate temperature control so that the nature of the sample does not change in transit to the laboratory.

More info:

• http://agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/inspection-

compliance/testing-labs/info-for-appointed-analysts

Information for Approved Analysts (Laboratories)

• Laboratories are notified when samples are ready for collection via

electronic Imported Food Inspection Report (eIFIR). NMI have regular collections at all major collection points, plus special collections can be arranged

• DAWR IFIS allocate the tests that the laboratories are to be perform

according to the guidelines, the laboratories do not determine the tests required.

• Samples are tested at the laboratory and then results reported

through to DAWR

• DAWR IFIS passes or fails the consignment dependent on the

laboratory results and the inspection.

Steps for Importing Food

• Fruit and Vegetable Residue Screen
• Nitrofurans, Fluoroquinolones
• C4 Sugar adulteration
• Trace Elements, Inorganic Arsenic
• Total THC, Cannabidiol
• Micro testing (E.coli, Salmonella, Listeria)
• Allergens
• Hydrocyanic Acid
• Toxins
• Domoic Acid
• Histamine
• Etc.

Imported Food Tests Required

Sample Collection and Transport

Representative Sampling and maintaining sample integrity in transit is critical to a meaningful program outcome Sampling is performed by the Inspectors

• Sample to the sampling plan (5 sub samples or 10 sub samples for example)
• After inspections the inspectors deliver the samples ready for the courier pickups

Transport Considerations

• Critical to maintaining sample integrity
• Temperature and protection considerations
• Service Delivery times – typically 24hrs nationally (can be expensive)

NMI Lab Process Flow Diagram

Sample Processing - Integrity and Traceability

Identity & Traceability

– Unique Identity (Lab Registration No or LRN) for each sample / sub-sample – A program “Job” is set-up in the NMI Lab Information Management System (LIMS)

Storage arrangements

– Range of temperature options (-80c, -20c, 4c, Ambient, Incubated) – Space requirements (can be significant) – Must be systematic

Records Management

– Single location for electronic records (Scanned items, Photographs) – LIMS

Sample Preparation

Representative and well homogenised sample preparation is critical to the integrity of analysis

Matrix Considerations

• Quantity of sample available
• Microbiological testing (requires aseptic handling)
• Distribution of analyte in the matrix
• Physical characteristics of matrix (e.g. hardness, viscosity, sinew, pliability etc)
• Sample homogeneity (especially for mixed component foods)

Modes of Preparation

• Blending – variety of blender types
• Cutting – knives of various types and mechanical
• Grinding – variety of grinders and mortars
• Liquid Nitrogen or pre-freezing / pre-heating

Method Selection

Method Selection is Critical to Ensuring a Meaningful Study Outcome

Considerations

• Accreditation status of the method including application to the sample type

(Validation / verification for the sample type)

• Internationally recognised (AOAC, AACC etc)
• Historically comparable results (enable comparison to previous studies, literature)
• Equipment, Instrument Technology
• Time, Cost and Quality (Fit for Purpose)
• Statistical Aspects

Precision (Measurement Uncertainty), Accuracy, Specificity

• If there is a new test for the Imported Food Scheme laboratories should obtain NATA accreditation before accepting

samples

Introducing New Methods

Old Method New Method

Review & Acceptance of Analytical Work

Review & acceptance of Analytical Outcomes is predicated on a number of criteria and factors

• Analytical Quality Criteria is met indicating satisfactory method performance
• Authorising analyst is satisfied with the overall quality and veracity of the testing process
• The results data makes sense in context:

– Looks right for the sample/product type in question (historical data, publications) – Fits with other results (particularly for nutritional parameters) – Take into account additives and label claims

Analytical Results Handling

Accurate and efficient results handling is just as important as the analysis

A strong trend over many years for labs to handle data electronically, however some testing is still recorded and reported manually on written reports and printouts.

Electronic Results Handling

– Instrument software - linked, via a LAN, to LIMS for direct result transfer – Requires electronic authorisation step and spot check/review of LIMS afterwards – Overall fast and efficient, helps avoid transcription errors – LAN with a server provides back-up for instrument and records data – Results are sent through eResults directly and reports are emailed through with the invoice – DAWR pass or fail consignments, not the laboratories

• The appointed analyst must inform the contact officer as soon as they

identify that an incorrect, invalid or suspicious test result has been reported, clearly stating the nature of the issue.

• If the appointed analyst wishes to repeat the analyses and they no

longer hold sufficient sample at their laboratory, the analyst must immediately contact the regional office responsible for the sample of food and request in writing that additional samples of food are required for analysis, citing the reason(s) for more samples/repeat testing.

• Where available information indicates that a test result is incorrect or

invalid, the DAWR reserves the right to investigate the matter with the responsible appointed analyst, appropriate accrediting body or any

• ther relevant person

Retesting

Microbiological testing

• Where the test result means the food will fail the relevant

standard, the appointed analyst must conduct an investigation to confirm the result.

• If there has been an indication of contamination by the

laboratory the appointed analyst (laboratory) must contact the appropriate regional office as soon as possible so that another sample can be taken for

• analysis. This removes the chance of the positive result

being due to contamination in the laboratory.

Chemical testing

• Where the test result indicates that the food has failed this

should be confirmed by analysing the remaining portion of the

• riginal sample.
• Where the appointed analyst decides they require a new

sample, they are to contact the contact officer.

Confirmatory Testing

Example Reports (Example data only)

NMI Formal Report eResults Report Page

• Broker/importers payments
• Instrumentation
• Staffing
• Incorrect Tests being applied

Laboratory Issues

ID 27a Held Or Released Held, Hold Tape Applied Sample Condition Dried Classification Risk Sample Size 10 X 500 GRAM Description Shredded Coconut Lot Code VK18/1010 1816 Brand Lot Quantity 15 ctns x 10 x 500g Country INDIA Batch Quantity 27 ctns Producer Labelling Pass Tests SALMONELLA Visual Pass Inspection Date 02 Jul 2018 Bar Code IF0319794IF0319798 Inspection Time 10:50:00 TO 12:50:00 TOTAL 2:00 HOUR(S) Sample Collection Dept of Agriculture - KENSINGTON, 5 McClure Road, Kensington, VIC 3031 Authorised Officer Laboratory National Measurement Institute Comments x 2 sample bags Laboratory Use

• Chains of Custody
• Smelly samples
• Couriers: Non delivery of consignments, sub-sampling causing

contamination issues, wrong temperature

• Fipronil in Eggs
• Allergenic Reactions to Coconut Products
• Development of Hepatitis A Detection method
• THC in Hemp Foods

Case Studies: New Tests

Department of Industry, Innovation and Science | National Measurement Institute Address 1/153 Bertie Street Address Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Telephone +61 3 9644 4888

Thank You