SPSFAM Heavy Metals ERP Book

AOAC FIRST ACTION 2015.01

MULTI LABORATORY TEST

Statistical evaluation

After data collection, outliers will be detected using Cochran and Grubbs tests. The number and coded identity of statistical outlier laboratories will be included in the final report.

Average arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) concentrations, relative standard deviations of repeatability (RSD r ) and relative standard deviations of reproducibility (RSD R ) will be estimated from blind duplicates in MLT samples. The duplicates will be analyzed on the same day. Details on statistical analysis can be found in the “Appendix D: Guidelines for Collaborative Study Procedures To Validate Characteristics of a Method of Analysis” of the Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, 18th Edition (2005).

Materials, Method and Laboratories

Matrices

The study will take place using matrices represented in the scope of the method including Food and Beverage samples. Study materials are solid chocolate, fruit juice, spiked fruit juice, fish, skimmed milk, infant formula and rice. All samples will be codified.

The complete list of samples can be found in Annex A.

Homogeneity Tests

Homogeneity tests were conducted by the manufacturer of the CRM’s: NIST and ERM. The Juice homogeneity was performed by NQAC-Dublin. Infant Formula homogeneity by Nestle Research Center.

Method

The full method description is given in Annex B.

Participating laboratories

Thirteen laboratories agreed to participate in this study. The complete list can be found in Annex C.

P a g e 4 | 25