ISPAM September 6 2014 Meeting

Comments on the Detection of Salmonella SMPR

This is the verbatum description from the Bergey et al manual. See reference at entry.

88

Relocate (D-glucose) with the other sugars.

No change proposed.

"A test portion can be used in validation studies when appropriate." What does this mean? Unclear.

The word "different" between "A" and "test portion" was inserted to correct the statement.

101

Revised in version 14

109-110

UCL usually means upper confidence limit.

Agreed.

Revised in version 14

"Use pre-harvest materials for method evaluation. Do not use processed materials" is unclear.

No change proposed, but suggestions are welcomed.

No change proposed, but suggestions are welcomed.

127

The working group agreed to specify 24 hours as the maximum time.

141 Specify XX hrs.

Revised in version 14

The working group agreed to specify 24 hours as the maximum time.

131 Suggest deleting if the time cannot be agreed upon.

Revised in version 14

It is unclear why a reiteration of method validation requirements is necessary for this document. This might actually lead to unnecessary confusion. For example, how is it different than other method validation guidelines? I would recommend deleting the method validation guidelines and refer to the preferred document, e.g., AOAC or ISO guidelines. When considering that there is significant current interest in harmonizing method validation guidelines internationally, it remains unclear why these guidelines are being elaborated.

This issue has been thouroughly discussed several times. The current AOAC validation system requires that an Expert Review Panel use an SMPR as a basis for adoption as an AOAC method, therefore the criteria must be included. A validation guideline describes the validation process, an SMPR describes the accetpance criteria which are generally not included in validation protocols, and may be application specific. AOAC and ISO guidelines do not provide specific acceptance criteria. SMPRs should not effect harmonization, but rather codify the minimum expected results.

Table 1

No change proposed.

3