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 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 • Purpose to ensure international recognition of a national measurement infrastructure • Physical Metrology – Mass, Length, Frequency • Microbiological Analysis • Legal Metrology • Food Allergen Analysis • Reference Material Production • Food Chemical Analysis • Proficiency Testing Schemes • Environmental Analysis • Trade Measurement • Sports Drug Testing • Illicit Drug analysis

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

Appointed Analysts Select a laboratory that is able to test your samples : New South Wales and Victoria: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/goods/food/inspection- • ALS Food and Pharmaceutical (Melbourne compliance/information-importers/laboratory-nomination-form laboratory also handles samples that are subject to biosecurity control) Australia-wide: • Phone (03) 8756 8111 (Melbourne) Email • Agrifood Technology FoodAustralia@ALSGlobal.com Phone (02) 8832 • Phone (03) 9742 0555 (Melbourne) Email lab.vic@agrifood.com.au 7500 (Sydney) Email • National Measurement Institute (Melbourne and Sydney FoodAustralia@ALSGlobal.com laboratories also handle samples that are subject to biosecurity Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria: control) • DTS Food Assurance (Brisbane, Melbourne and • Phone (03) 9644 4888 (Melbourne and Sydney) Email Sydney laboratories also handle samples that are food@measurement.gov.au subject to biosecurity control) • Symbio Laboratories (Brisbane laboratory also handles samples • Phone (03) 8371 7610 (Brisbane, Melbourne and that are subject to biosecurity control) Sydney) Email • Phone 1300 703 166 Email admin@symbiolabs.com.au clientservices@dtsfoodassurance.com.au All states/territories except South Australia: South Australia only: • Mérieux NutriSciences trading as Silliker Australia (Melbourne, • SA Analytical Laboratory Services Perth and Sydney laboratories also handle samples that are subject • Phone 1300 386 811 (Adelaide) Email to biosecurity control) lab@saals.com.au • Phone (03) 8878 2100 (Brisbane/Melbourne/Perth/Sydney) Email sales.au@mxns.com

Information for Approved Analysts (Laboratories) 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

Steps for Importing Food • 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.

Imported Food Tests Required • 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.

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