CEN/TC 275 - Food analysis - Horizontal methods

This document specifies minimum performance requirements for methods that quantify the food allergens milk, egg, peanut, hazelnut, almond, brazil nut, macadamia nut, cashew, pistachio nut, walnut, pecan nut, lupine, sesame, mustard, soy, celery, fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and wheat in raw and processed foodstuffs. Within the scope of this document, minimum requirements for an LOQ (Limit of Quantification) will be derived from threshold data of allergic consumers. For quantitative antibody-based methods, a normative annex will describe what specific information the method developer needs to deliver and how performance characteristics shall be validated. Regarding PCR and LC-MS/MS, information on performance characteristics are in parts covered by EN 15634-1 and EN 17644. This document does not apply to fragmented or hydrolysed food allergens, such as casein hydrolysates or soy sauce. It also does not apply to methods that deliver qualitative results only. Methods that cover gluten-containing cereals (wheat, rye, and barley) with regard to coeliac disease are covered by EN 17254.

This document specifies a method for the determination of Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, U and Zn in foodstuffs by ICP-MS after pressure digestion.
The following foodstuffs were analysed for the elements listed in Table 1 in an interlaboratory study: Banana (deep-frozen), Cocoa powder, Wheat noodle powder, Currant nectar (deep-frozen), Milk powder, Oyster (dried), Celery (dried), Dogfish liver (dried), Liver (deep-frozen), Kale (dried).
Table 1 - Rangea
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This document specifies a method for the detection of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in chocolate.
Real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) detection of peanut is based on an 86 bp (base pair) sequence from the Ara h 2 gene of peanut.

This document specifies a procedure for the qualitative detection of species specific DNA from white mustard (Sinapis alba) and soya (Glycine max) in cooked sausages using singleplex real-time PCR based on the genes MADS-D (mustard) and lectin (soya).

This document specifies a method for the detection of hazelnut (Corylus avellana) in chocolate.
Real-time PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) detection of hazelnut is based on an152 bp (base pair) sequence from the corA 1 gene of hazelnut.

This document establishes an overall framework covering qualitative and quantitative methods for the determination of food allergens and allergenic ingredients using mass spectrometry-based methods for the determination of specific peptides/proteins. This document provides general guidelines and performance criteria applicable to this methodology. Guidelines, minimum requirements and performance criteria laid down in this document are intended to ensure that comparable and reproducible results are obtained by different analysts, instrumentation and laboratories.

This document describes general requirements, procedures and performance criteria for evaluating the content of genetically modified (GM) seeds/grains in a lot by a group testing strategy that includes qualitative analysis of sub-sampled groups followed by statistical evaluation of the results.
This document is applicable to group testing strategy estimating the GM content on a percentage seed/grain basis for purity estimation, testing towards a given reject/accept criterion and for cases where seed/grain lots are carrying stacked events.
This document is not applicable to processed products.
NOTE       Description of the use of group testing strategy are available in References [1], [7], [8], [18], [19] and [20].

This document describes a method for the determination of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal-based products, e.g. oats, intended for nutrition of infants and young children by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) after cleanup by solid phase extraction (SPE) [5].
The method has been validated for HT-2 toxin in oat flour at levels of 9,3 µg/kg and 28,1 µg/kg, oat flakes at levels of 16,5 µg/kg and 21,4 µg/kg, and breakfast cereals (containing oat flakes) at a level of 8,1 µg/kg and for T-2 toxin in oat flour at levels of 4,4 µg/kg and 8,3 µg/kg, oat flakes at levels of 4,9 µg/kg and 6,6 µg/kg and breakfast cereals (containing oat flakes) at a level of 3,5 µg/kg.
Laboratory experiences [6] have shown that the method is also applicable to highly swelling materials (dry cereal-based porridges and modified starches), but these were not examined in the method validation study. Details are outlined in 7.3.
The method can also be applied to oat-by-products at higher levels of T-2- and HT-2 toxin. In this case, the dilution steps need to be considered [6].
The method can also be applied to cereals and cereal products for infants and young children based on e.g. wheat, barley and rice. In this case, the method needs to be in-house-validated for each material. At the time of the interlaboratory study, planned range was 10 µg/kg to 100 µg/kg, and it is known from the pre-study that the method works well in the whole range, although final validation was only done in the range from 3,5 µg/kg to 28,1 µg/kg.

This document specifies a method for the detection of foodstuff containing cellulose which have been treated with ionizing radiation, by analysing the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum, also called electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum, of the foodstuff, see [1] to [13].
Interlaboratory studies have been successfully carried out with pistachio nut shells, [14] to [18], paprika powder [19] and [20] and fresh strawberries [21]. However, it has been shown that chemical bleaching of nuts in shells can lead to comparable signals. For further information, see Clause 8 on limitations.

This document specifies a method for the detection of foodstuff containing crystalline sugars which have been treated with ionizing radiation, by analysing the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum, also called electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum, of the foodstuff, see [1] to [7].
Interlaboratory studies have been successfully carried out on dried figs, dried mangoes, dried papayas and raisins, see [1] to [3].

This document describes a method using isotopically labelled standards for the quantitative determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2 and AFM1), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 and HT-2 toxins (T-2 and HT-2) and fumonisins B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2) in foods by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).
A specific immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up is needed for aflatoxins (AFs) and OTA in food intended for infants and young children (e.g. infant cereals, milk-based powders), in spices, in dried fruits and in nuts.
The method has been validated through an intercollaborative study on different commodity groups: cereals and cereal-based products including food for infant and young children, nuts, spices, dried fruits and milk powder. The measuring range of each mycotoxin in these naturally contaminated and/or spiked food samples were:
- AFB1: 0,085 7 µg/kg - 11,4 µg/kg;
- AFB2: 0,079 2 µg/kg - 12,5 µg/kg;
- AFG1: 0,062 8 µg/kg - 20,9 µg/kg;
- AFG2: 0,052 0 µg/kg - 15,0 µg/kg;
- AFM1: 0,034 2 µg/kg - 0,110 µg/kg;
- OTA: 0,448 µg/kg - 17,2 µg/kg;
- DON: 45,2 µg/kg - 743 µg/kg;
- ZEN: 9,57 µg/kg - 131 µg/kg;
- T-2: 10,3 µg/kg - 57,9 µg/kg;
- HT-2: 9,50 µg/kg - 81,8 µg/kg;
- FB1: 31,1 µg/kg - 4 260 µg/kg;
- FB2: 44,2 µg/kg - 1 300 µg/kg.
The measuring ranges of the method for each mycotoxin/matrix combination are given in Table 8.

This document specifies a method for the analysis of pesticide residues in foods of plant and of animal origin by ethyl acetate extraction using GC- and LC-MS/MS (SweEt).

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of five Alternaria toxins in wheat, tomato juice and sunflower seed samples by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method includes the analysis of Altenuene (ALT), Alternariol (AOH), Alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) in the range of 1 μg/kg to 100 μg/kg, and Tentoxin (TEN) in the range of 5 μg/kg to 500 μg/kg, and Tenuazonic acid (TEA) in the range of 10 μg/kg to 1000 μg/kg.

This document specifies a method for the detection of Anisakidae L3 larvae commonly found in marine and anadromous fishes. The method is applicable to fresh fish and/or frozen fish, as well as lightly processed fish products, such as marinated, salted or cold smoked.
This method is applicable to quantifying parasitic infections by estimating the number of parasites in the fish musculature.
This method does not apply to determining the species or genotype of detected parasites. Final identification is made by morphological and/or molecular methods.

This document specifies a method for the detection of Anisakidae L3 larvae commonly found in marine and anadromous fishes. The method is applicable to fresh fish and/or frozen fish, as well as lightly processed fish products, such as marinated, salted or smoked. It is also suitable for visceral organs as a confirmatory method for a visual inspection scheme.
The artificial digestion method[4][5][6] is applicable to quantifying parasitic infections by estimating the number of parasites in the fish musculature and, when applied to fresh fish or lightly processed fish products (never frozen before processing), determining the viability of Anisakidae L3, which can be present.
This method does not apply to determining the species or genotype of detected parasites. Final identification is made by morphological and/or molecular methods.

This document describes a procedure for the determination of the citrinin content in food (cereals, red yeast rice (RYR)), herbs and food supplements by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
This method has been validated for citrinin in red yeast rice and in the formulated food supplements in the range of 2,5 μg/kg to 3 000 μg/kg and in wheat flour in the range of 2,5 μg/kg to 100 μg/kg.
Laboratory experiences have shown that this method is also applicable to white rice, herbs such as a powder of ginkgo biloba leaves and the formulated food supplements in the range of 2,5 μg/kg to 50 μg/kg.

This document describes a method for the determination of the sum of six ergot alkaloids (ergocornine, ergometrine, ergocristine, ergotamine, ergosine and ergocryptine) and their -inine epimer pairs by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after clean-up by dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE).
The method has been validated in the range 13,2 µg/kg to 168 µg/kg for the sum of the twelve ergot alkaloids, in rye flour, rye bread and cereal products (breakfast cereal, infant breakfast cereal, and crispbread) that contained rye as an ingredient, as well as seeded wholemeal flour and a barley and rye flour mixture.
Method performance was satisfactory in the range 24,1 µg/kg to 168 µg/kg, however at lower concentrations RSDR values were greater than 44 %, and HorRat values exceeded 2,0, indicating the method may not be fully suitable at concentrations below 24 µg/kg for sum of ergot alkaloids, although it is suitable for screening at these concentrations.

This document describes the performance characteristics and minimum performance criteria for conducting a single-laboratory validation study for qualitative (binary) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods applied for the detection of specific DNA sequences present in foods.
The protocol was developed for qualitative real-time PCR methods for the detection of DNA sequences derived from genetically modified foodstuffs. It is applicable also for single-laboratory validation of qualitative PCR methods used for analysis of other food materials, e.g. for species detection and identification.
The document does not cover the evaluation of the applicability and the practicability with respect to the specific scope of the PCR method.

This document describes a procedure for the determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 and total aflatoxins (sum of B1, B2, G1 and G2) in spices for which EU maximum levels are established, other than paprika, by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with post-column derivatization (PCD) and fluorescence detection (FLD) after immunoaffinity column (IAC) clean-up.
The method is applicable to the spices capsicum (excluding paprika), pepper, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and mixtures thereof.
The method has been validated for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 and total aflatoxins in a range of test samples that comprised: ginger, pepper, nutmeg, chilli, turmeric as individual spices and mixed pepper + chilli + nutmeg (90 + 5 + 5, m + m + m), mixed spice+ginger (6 + 4, m + m) mixed spice, mixed turmeric+ginger (2 + 8, m + m).
The validation was carried out over the following concentration ranges: aflatoxin B1 = 1 µg/kg to 16 µg/kg and total aflatoxins = 2,46 µg/kg to 36,1 µg/kg.

This document specifies the general principles and the technical protocols for single-laboratory validation of methods for microbiology in the food chain. The protocols in this document only validate the method for the laboratory conducting the study.
This document is applicable to single-laboratory validation of:
—     methods used in the analysis (detection or quantification) of microorganisms in:
—     products intended for human consumption;
—     products intended for animal feeding;
—     environmental samples in the area of food and feed production, handling;
—     samples from the primary production stage;
—     methods for the confirmation or typing of microorganisms. This validation will replace only the confirmation or typing procedure of a specified method (see Annex G).
This document is, in particular, applicable to bacteria and fungi. Some clauses can be applicable to other (micro)organisms or their metabolites, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Single-laboratory validation is required if an interlaboratory validation in accordance with ISO 16140-2 is not appropriate. Possible applications are:
—     validation of an in-house method;
—     method evaluation study in the validation process of a reference method in accordance with ISO 17468;
—     extension of the scope of an ISO 16140-2 validated method, e.g. category extension or test portion size;
—     modifications of existing methods.
Single-laboratory validation is the second step in the standardization of a reference method (see ISO 17468). It is only applicable to methods that are fully specified with regard to all relevant parameters (including tolerances on temperatures and specifications on culture media) and that have already been optimized.

This document specifies the general principles and the technical protocols (based on orthogonal, factorial studies) for the validation of non-proprietary methods for microbiology of the food chain.
This document is applicable to the validation of methods used for the analysis (detection or quantification) of microorganisms in:
—     products intended for human consumption;
—     products intended for animal feeding;
—     environmental samples in the area of food and feed production, handling;
—     samples from the primary production stage.
This document is, in particular, applicable to bacteria and fungi. Some clauses can be applicable to other (micro)organisms or their metabolites, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
This document specifies protocols for the validation against a reference method for both quantitative and qualitative methods. This document also provides a protocol for the validation of quantitative methods without a reference method. Qualitative methods cannot be validated without a reference method in accordance with this document.
NOTE    ISO 16140-2 specifies the general principle and the technical protocol for the validation of alternative, mostly proprietary, methods against a reference method.
This document is only applicable to the validation of methods that are fully specified with regard to all relevant parameters (including tolerances on temperatures and specifications on culture media) and that have already been optimized.
Methods that have been validated in accordance with this document can be used by the laboratories of the specified population of laboratories.

This document specifies a procedure for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in chilli, paprika, black and white pepper, nutmeg, spice mix, liquorice (root and extracts), cocoa and cocoa products by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with immunoaffinity column clean-up and fluorescence detection (FLD).
This method has been validated in interlaboratory studies via the analysis of both naturally contaminated and spiked samples ranging from 1,0 μg/kg to 84,9 μg/kg for spices (paprika and chili [5], black and white pepper, nutmeg and spice mix [6]), ranging from 7,7 μg/kg to 96,8 μg/kg for liquorice and liquorice products [7] and ranging from 2,1 μg/kg to 26,3 μg/kg for cocoa and cocoa products [6].
For further information on the validation, see Clause 10 and Annex B.

This document describes a procedure for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in pork products specifically ham, pork-based products (canned chopped pork) and pork liver using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD).
The method has been validated for ochratoxin A in naturally contaminated ham, pork based products (canned chopped pork) and pork liver containing 0,5 μg/kg to 11 μg/kg [4], [5], [6].
Laboratory experiences have shown that this method is also applicable to pâté and kidney [4].

This document specifies a procedure for the determination of phomopsin A in lupin seeds and lupin-derived products based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Several phomopsins exist, i.e. phomopsin A, B, C and D, but the method only deals with the quantitative measurement of phomopsin A due to lack of commercially available analytical reference standards for the other phomopsins.
The method has been validated for phomopsin A in naturally contaminated lupin seeds, lupin flour and crisp bread at levels ranging from approximately 5 µg/kg to 60 µg/kg

This document specifies the general principle and the technical protocol for the validation of alternative confirmation methods for microbiology in the food chain. This document compares the result of the alternative confirmation method against the confirmation procedure of a reference method or, if needed, a reference confirmation method (e.g. whole genome sequencing).
This document is applicable to the validation of alternative confirmation methods used for the analysis (detection or quantification) of isolated microorganisms in:
—          products intended for human consumption;
—          products intended for animal feeding;
—          environmental samples in the area of food and feed production, handling;
—          samples from the primary production stage.
Validated alternative confirmation methods can be used to replace (partly or completely) the confirmation procedure described in:
—          the reference method;
—          an alternative method validated in accordance with ISO 16140-2 only if one of the isolation agars specified in the validation study of the alternative confirmation method is used.
This document is also applicable to the validation of alternative typing methods, where the reference method can be, for example, a serological method (e.g. serotyping of Salmonella) or a molecular method (e.g. typing of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli).
This document is, in particular, applicable to bacteria and fungi. Some clauses can be applicable to other (micro)organisms, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Validation studies in accordance with this document are primarily intended to be performed by organizations or expert laboratories involved in method validation, but can also be used by a single laboratory, especially when performing in-house validation under certain conditions (see ISO 16140-4).

This document specifies requirements and gives guidance for the estimation and expression of measurement uncertainty (MU) associated with quantitative results in microbiology of the food chain.
It is applicable to the quantitative analysis of:
—          products intended for human consumption or the feeding of animals;
—          environmental samples in the area of food production and food handling;
—          samples at the stage of primary production.
The quantitative analysis is typically carried out by enumeration of microorganisms using a colony-count technique. This document is also generally applicable to other quantitative analyses, including:
—           most probable number (MPN) techniques;
—          instrumental methods, such as impediometry, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and flow cytometry;
—          molecular methods, such as methods based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
The uncertainty estimated by this document does not include systematic effects (bias).

This document describes a method for the determination of organomercury in seafood/fishery products by elemental mercury analysis. The method has been successfully valideted in an interlaboratory study with a working range from 0,013 mg/kg to 5,12 mg/kg (HORRAT values <2) in seafood/fishery products [1], [2]. The limit of quantification is approximately 0,010 mg/kg organomercury (referring to dry weight, expressed as mercury) [3], [4].
Organic species of mercury, other than monomethylmercury, are also extracted and thus determined with this method. However, in seafood/fishery products the contribution from organic species of mercury other than monomethylmercury is negligible.

This document specifies performance criteria for immunochemical methods for the detection and/or quantification of a specific protein or protein(s) of interest [POI(s)] in a specified matrix.
The methods discussed are applicable to the analysis of proteins from a variety of sample types. Some uses for these methods include, but are not limited to, analysing proteins involved in crop and food production, food processing, food marketing, food safety, biotechnology or disease indexing.

ISO 18862:2016 specifies methods for the determination of acrylamide in coffee and coffee products by extraction with water, clean-up by solid-phase extraction and determination by HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS. It was validated in a method validation study on roasted coffee, soluble coffee, coffee substitutes and coffee products with ranges from 53 μg/kg to 612,1 μg/kg.

This document specifies a procedure for the determination of nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetyl derivatives (3-acetyl-DON and 15-acetyl-DON), HT-2 and T-2 toxins (HT-2 and T-2) and zearalenone (ZEN) in cereals and cereal products by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) after clean-up by solid phase extraction (SPE).
The method has been validated with samples of wheat, wheat flour, and wheat crackers. The wheat and the wheat flour was prepared from a mixture of wheat and fungi infected wheat kernels. The wheat crackers were baked from wheat flour and water spiked with the target mycotoxins.
Validation levels for NIV ranged from 27,7 μg/kg to 378 μg/kg.
Validation levels for DON ranged from 234 μg/kg to 2420 μg/kg.
Validation levels for 3-acetyl-DON ranged from 18,5 μg/kg to 137 μg/kg.
Validation levels for 15-acetyl-DON ranged from 11,4 μg/kg to 142 μg/kg.
Validation levels for HT-2 ranged from 6,6 μg/kg to 134 μg/kg.
Validation levels for T-2 ranged from 2,1 μg/kg to 37,6 μg/kg.
Validation levels for ZEN ranged from 31,6 μg/kg to 230 μg/kg.
Laboratory experiences have shown that this method is also applicable to barley and oat flour, and rye based crackers [5], however, this has not been validated in a collaborative study.

This document describes a screening method for the determination of aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1 and B2, ochratoxin A, HT-2 and T-2 toxins, and zearalenone in foodstuffs by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).
The aim of the screening method is to test compliance of foodstuff with regulatory limits or to determine whether a certain pre-defined level (the screening target concentration, STC) is exceeded or not. The result of the screening is either "negative" or "suspect". "Negative" (screen negative) means that the targeted mycotoxins are not detected or potentially present but below the STC. "Suspect" (screen positive) means that the established cut-off level is exceeded and the sample can contain one or more mycotoxins at a level higher than the STC.
For full identification and accurate quantification a second confirmatory quantitative analysis method is required which is outside the scope of this document.
The method is suitable for various types of foodstuff and has been validated for representative matrices from four commodity groups:
-   high starch and/or protein content and low water and fat content: wheat, cereal mixture, wheat flour and cornflakes;
-   high oil content: peanuts;
-   high sugar low water content: figs;
-   high water content: grape juice.
During validation, cut-off levels were established for the following screening target concentrations:
-   aflatoxin B1: 2 µg/kg to 5 µg/kg;
-   deoxynivalenol: 250 µg/kg to 865 µg/kg;
-   fumonisin B1: 200 µg/kg to 790 µg/kg;
-   fumonisin B2: 110 µg/kg to 230 µg/kg;
-   ochratoxin A: 4 µg/kg to 9 µg/kg;
-   T-2 toxin: 25 µg/kg;
-   HT-2 toxin: 25 µg/kg to 50 µg/kg;
-   zearalenone: 30 µg/kg to 100 µg/kg.

This document specifies a method for the detection of celery (Apium graveolens) in emulsion-type sausages (e.g. Frankfurter, Wiener).
Real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) detection of celery is based on an 101 bp (base pair) sequence from the gene of the mannitol dehydrogenase (GenBank Acc. No. AF067082 ) of celery (Apium graveolens).
The method has been validated on emulsion-type sausages (Bavarian “Leberkäse”) spiked with celery. For this purpose meat batter containing mass fractions of 50 % pork meat, 25 % pork fat, 23 % crushed ice and 1,8 % of a mixture of sodium chloride, nitrite, nitrate, phosphates and ascorbates was prepared according to a standard procedure for emulsion-type sausage. The meat batter was spiked with either ground celery seeds or celery root powder to 1000 mg/kg. Lower spiking levels were obtained by diluting with celery-free meat batter. The batter was stuffed into casings and heated at 65 °C for 60 min [1].
This document is intended to be used in addition to EN 15842 and FprEN 15634 1.

This document provides the overall framework for detection of sequences corresponding to species containing allergens using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It relates to the requirements for the specific amplification of target nucleic acid sequences (DNA) and for the confirmation of the identity of the amplified nucleic acid sequence.
Guidelines, minimum requirements and performance criteria laid down in European Standards are intended to ensure that comparable and reproducible results are obtained in different laboratories. This document has been established for food matrices.
This document is intended to be used in addition to EN 15842.

This document specifies how to use the standards for immunoassays, nucleic based and chromatographic methods and their relationship in the analysis of food allergens; and contains general definitions, requirements and guidelines for laboratory set-up, method validation requirements, description of methods, and test reports.
This document also specifies general guidelines for the requirements and use of reference materials for the determination of allergenic commodities in food products. The term "reference materials" in this document includes certified reference materials as well as quality control materials. Currently only a limited number of reference materials for food allergen determination are available. As new materials become accepted and validated, they can be appended as an annex to this document.
This document does not deal with sampling issues. It simply details processes involved from receipt of the laboratory sample to the end result.

This document specifies minimum method performance requirements for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays that quantify non-fragmented or fragmented gluten from wheat (e.g. Triticum aestivum), rye, and barley in raw and processed foodstuffs.
This document is intended to be used in addition to EN 15842.

This document provides an overall framework covering qualitative and quantitative methods for the determination of food allergens and allergenic ingredients using antibody-based methods in foods. This document specifies general guidelines and performance criteria for antibody-based methods for the detection and quantification of proteins that serve as markers for the presence of allergy provoking foods or food ingredients. Other methods than those described can also detect and identify the proteins. Guidelines, minimum requirements and performance criteria laid down in this document are intended to ensure that reproducible results are obtained by different analysts in private and/or official control laboratories or when conducting onsite food testing.
This document is intended to be used in addition to EN 15842.
NOTE   This document could also be applicable to other sample types where the same principles for method validation and verification would apply.

This document specifies a method for the determination of aluminium in food by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after pressure digestion. This method was validated for wheat noodle, cheese, liver, beetroot and cocoa powder at mass fractions in the range of 15 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg. At concentrations above 200 mg/kg digestion temperatures higher than 220 °C can be necessary to recover the aluminium as completely as possible.

This document specifies a method for the determination of aluminium in food by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after pressure digestion. This method was validated for infant formula, wheat noodle, cheese, liver, beetroot and cocoa powder at mass fractions in the range of 1 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg. At concentrations above 200 mg/kg, digestion temperatures higher than 220 °C can be necessary to recover the aluminium as completely as possible.

This Technical Specification describes a method for the analysis of pesticide residues in fatty oils of plant origin (essential oils are excluded). It has been validated in an interlaboratory test with olive oil. However, laboratory experiences have shown that this method is also applicable to other kinds of oils such as sunflower seed oil, sesame oil, flax seed oil, rape seed oil, grape seed oil, thistle oil and pumpkin seed oil.

This Technical Specification gives guidelines for the execution of calibration and quantitative evaluation of chromatographic procedures for the determination of pesticides and organic contaminants in residue analysis. In addition, the essential requirements for calibration are outlined.
The calibration of analytical procedures and the evaluation of analytical results need to be conducted according to uniform principles in order to allow for a comparison of analytical results (even from different analytical procedures). They constitute the basis of any method validation and of the quality assurance within laboratories [1], [2], [3].
This Technical Specification does not consider issues of identification/qualification and extraction efficiency.

This document provides information on how the performance characteristics of qualitative (binary) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for detection of specific DNA sequences present in foods should be evaluated and validated by conducting a collaborative study.
The guidelines are applicable for validation of qualitative PCR methods used for detection of DNA sequences derived from genetically modified foodstuffs. They can be applicable also for PCR methods used for detection of other target sequences in foodstuffs, e.g. for species detection and identification.

This European Standard stipulates a method for the analysis of pesticide residues in foods of plant origin, such as fruits (including dried fruits), vegetables, cereals and many processed products thereof by using GC, GC-MS(/MS), and/or LC-MS(/MS). The method has been collaboratively studied on a large number of commodity/pesticide combinations. Precision data are summarized in FprCEN/TR 17063. Guidelines for calibration are outlined in FprCEN/TS 17061.

This European Standard specifies a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) and an ion chromatographic (IC) method for determination of the nitrate level in vegetables and vegetable products. This method is applicable for samples with a content of 25 mg/kg or greater.
It has been validated on naturally contaminated and spiked samples as beetroot juice with nitrate mass fractions of 194 mg/kg and 691 mg/kg, pureed carrots with nitrate mass fractions of 26 mg/kg and 222 mg/kg and with iceberg lettuce with nitrate mass fractions of 623 mg/kg and 3 542 mg/kg.

This European Standard describes a procedure for the determination of the zearalenone content in edible vegetable oils specifically maize germ oil by either of the following techniques: High performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (LC-FLD) or high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after basic extraction of the diluted oil.
The method has been validated for zearalenone in naturally contaminated maize germ oil at levels of 61,2 µg/kg to 515 µg/kg [5].
Laboratory experiences [6] have shown that this method is also applicable to other vegetable oils such as wheat germ oil (n = 4), sunflower oil (n = 5), pumpkin seed oil (n = 1), soybean oil (n = 5), hemp seed oil (n = 5), rape seed oil (n = 11), and mixed oils including maize germ oil (n = 3). However occasionally, samples can result in interferences in the FLD-chromatograms. In this case, the detection with MS/MS is recommended.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of melamine and cyanuric acid in foodstuffs with liquid chromatography in combination with tandem mass spectrometry. The method has been validated in an interlaboratory study via the analysis of spiked samples of milk based infant formula, soy based infant formula, milk powder, whole milk, soy drink and milk chocolate ranging from 0,71 mg/kg to 1,43 mg/kg for melamine and 0,57 mg/kg to 1,45 mg/kg for cyanuric acid. The limits of quantification (LOQ) for melamine and cyanuric acid in food are 0,05 mg/kg and 0,25 mg/kg, respectively. The upper limit of the working range is up to 10 mg/kg for melamine and up to 25 mg/kg for cyanuric acid.

This European Standard describes a method for the determination of minerals and trace elements in foodstuffs using optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES) after pressure digestion.
This method has been validated in an interlaboratory study according to ISO 5725 [1] on children's food soya, cheese, chicken meat, wheat flour, apple juice, lobster and milk, with calcium ranging from 70 mg/kg to 7178 mg/kg, with copper ranging from 0,60 mg/kg to 16,40 mg/kg, with iron ranging from 0,88 mg/kg to 77 mg/kg, with potassium ranging from 605 mg/kg to 14 312 mg/kg, with magnesium ranging from 45 mg/kg to 1 174 mg/kg, with manganese ranging from 0,44 mg/kg to 5,12 mg/kg, with sodium ranging from 11 mg/kg to 2 220 mg/kg, with phosphorus ranging from 72 mg/kg to 9 708 mg/kg, with sulfur ranging from 26 mg/kg to 8 542 mg/kg and with zinc ranging from 0,16 mg/kg to 43,5 mg/kg.

This European Standard specifies a gas chromatographic method using mass spectrometric detection for the determination of ethyl carbamate (EC) in stone fruit spirits, fruit marc spirits and other spirit drinks.
The method has been validated in an interlaboratory study for stone fruit spirits and fruit liqueurs, at levels ranging from 0,253 mg/l to 1,11 mg/l. However, linearity of the instrument response was proven for the concentration ranges 0,10 mg/l to 4,0 mg/l (simplified method) and 0,025 mg/l to 3,0 mg/l (procedure including sample clean-up), respectively.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of benzene in soft drinks, other beverages and vegetable-based infant foods, by headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS). The method has been validated in an interlaboratory study via the analysis of spiked samples of carbonated soft drink, still fruit-based drink, carbonated fruit-based drink, vegetable and fruit juice containing carrot, infant food vegetable based and infant food containing meat, ranging from 1,9 µg/kg to 18,6 µg/kg. However, linearity of the instrument response was proven for the concentration range from 0,5 µg/kg to 20 µg/kg. The limit of quantification (LOQ) depends on the instrument but can generally be expected to be in the range from 0,5 µg/kg to 1,0 µg/kg.

This European standard specifies a method [1] for the quantitative determination of saxitoxin (STX), decarbamoyl saxitoxin (dcSTX), neosaxitoxin (NEO), decarbamoyl neosaxitoxin (dcNEO), gonyautoxin 1 and 4 (GTX1,4; sum of isomers), gonyautoxin 2 and 3 (GTX2,3; sum of isomers), gonyautoxin 5 (GTX5 also called B1), gonyautoxin 6 (GTX6 also called B2), decarbamoyl gonyautoxin 2 and 3 (dcGTX2,3; sum of isomers), N-sulfocarbamoyl-gonyautoxin 1 and 2 (C1,2; sum of isomers) and (depending on the availability of certified reference materials (CRMs)) N-sulfocarbamoyl-gonyautoxin 3 and 4 (C3,4; sum of isomers) in (raw) mussels, oysters, scallops and clams. Laboratory experience has shown that it is also be applicable in other shellfish [2], [3] and cooked shellfish products. The method described was validated in an interlaboratory study [4], [5] and was also verified in a EURL-performance test aiming the total toxicity of the samples [6]. Toxins which were not available in the first interlaboratory study [4], [5] as dcGTX2,3 and dcNEO were validated in two additional interlaboratory studies [7], [8]. The lowest validated levels [4], [5], [8], are given in µg toxin (free base) per kg shellfish tissue and also as µmol/kg shellfish tissue and are listed in Table 1.
A quantitative determination of GTX6 (B2) was not included in the first interlaboratory study but several laboratories detected this toxin directly after solid phase extraction with ion-exchange (SPE-COOH) clean-up and reported a mass concentration of 30 µg/kg or higher in certain samples. For that reason, the present method is applicable to quantify GTX6 (B2) directly, depending on the availability of the standard substance. Currently it is possible to determine GTX6 after a hydrolysis of Fraction 2 of the SPE-COOH clean-up, described in 6.4 as NEO. The indirect quantification of GTX6 was validated in two additional interlaboratory studies [7], [8].
A quantitative determination of C3,4 was included in the first interlaboratory study. The present method is applicable to quantify C3,4 directly, depending on the availability of the standard substance. If no standard substances are available, C3,4 can only be quantified as GTX1,4 if the same hydrolysis protocol used for GTX6 (6.4) is applied to Fraction 1 of the SPE-COOH clean-up, see [10].

This European Standard specifies methods for the quantitative determination of domoic acid in raw bivalve molluscs and finfish as well as in cooked mussels. The limit of detection is about 10 ng/ml to 80 ng/ml (0,05 mg/kg to 0,4 mg/kg), depending on the UV detector sensitivity. The limit of quantification for DA by these methods is at least 2,7 mg/kg. Method A has been validated for the determination of DA in different raw matrices such as mussels, clams, scallops and anchovies, spiked and/or naturally contaminated at levels ranging from 2,7 mg/kg to 85,1 mg/kg. Method B has been validated for the determination of DA at levels ranging from 5 mg/kg to 12,9 mg/kg in cooked blue mussels.
For further information on validation data, see Clause 8 and Annex A.
Laboratory experience has shown that this standard can also be applied to other shellfish species, however, no complete validation study according to ISO 5725 has been carried out so far.