Spurred somewhat by the proposed legislation known as the Baby Food Safety Act of 2021 in the United States, there is a recent movement in world-wide regulations for metals in foods. Dr. Kevin Kubachka from the U.S. FDA will provide an update regarding the FDA’s Closer to Zero action plan, and the formation and activities of the AOAC Heavy Metals Working Group to explore this area. 

Coupled with the AOAC Metals Community and the Expert Review Panel, the AOAC Heavy Metals Working Group is drafting Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPR) to serve as the guidance to assist in the development and/or evaluation of potential methods to analyze trace elemental contaminants in various food-related matrices. The SMPR will reflect global changes in regulatory limits for heavy metals in defined matrices.

The audience will learn about the outcome of the working group, the next steps and general information about elemental analysis within AOAC.

The development of analytical methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food is essential for monitoring the global food supply and for assessments of dietary exposure. Dr. Susan Genualdi from the U.S. FDA will talk about the guidance document and regulation from the European Union in addressing this.

The AOAC PFAS Working Group, chaired by Dr. Genualdi, was established in 2023 to develop Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPR) for analytical methods for PFAS in food and feed. The objectives of this working group were to identify required analytes and foods for PFAS analysis, establish required limits of quantification, and define analytical method parameters.

The audience will be hearing about the draft SMPR for analytical methods quantifying PFAS in Food and Feed. System suitability requirements, also part of the SMPR, will be discussed to overcome challenges with the analysis of PFAS. 

To support the development of the analytical community in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, we offer 2 complimentary technical workshops at the 2023 AOAC SEA Annual Conference in Ho Chi Minh City.

One of the workshops is on 'AOAC Official Methods and Method Validation,' with 3 topics delivered by Mr. Darryl Sullivan, Past President of AOAC INTERNATIONAL and Chief Scientific Officer of Eurofins Scientific, USA, and Dr. Erik Konings, Past President of AOAC INTERNATIONAL and R&D Expert at Nestlé Institute of Food Safety and Analytical Sciences, Switzerland:

• AOAC INTERNATIONAL Process for the Development and Use of SMPR's in Standards Development. Darryl will talk in detail on the new AOAC standards development process and how it is being used to develop Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPR’s). The audience will understand the critical component of the SMPR, which is the global implications of the test methods that are being developed for stakeholders from all of the geographies. They will also hear about new AOAC methods that have been approved by ISO, IDF, and Codex Alimentarius, which make them the most recognized international test methods for infant formula especially.
• Measurement Uncertainty in Chemical Analysis. Measurement uncertainty is of utmost importance in physical and analytical testing and subsequent decision-making. Codex Alimentarius Commission recommends laboratories involved in Import and Export control should provide measurement uncertainty. Erik will focus on types of measurement errors, procedures for estimating measurement uncertainty, how to report measurement uncertainty and how measurement uncertainty can affect decisions.
• AOAC INTERNATIONAL Method Validation Process. Darryl will outline each of the steps in the AOAC method validation process. With a better understanding of AOAC processes, test method developers can improve study designs that meet AOAC requirements, have more concise data collection, and gain quicker reviews and faster method approvals. Representatives from independent laboratories will also have an improved chance of being selected as Expert Reviewers for themselves or AOAC Independent Laboratories for their organizations.

Conference registration ends on 14 July 2023. Register for the conference and complimentary workshops while space is still allowed.

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