Members of the AOAC Southeast Asia Section identified the need for standardized and harmonized methods of analysis to determine pesticide residues in spices and herbs. Key issues highlighted include the lack of internationally harmonized nomenclature for herbs and spices, which complicates the understanding of applicable MRLs in setting regulatory control limits. Besides the complexities involved in testing spice mixtures, current analytical techniques have limitations in achieving low levels of detection limits, particularly in the context of regulatory frameworks where the default MRLs are often below the technically achievable LOQs for herbs and spices. Collaboration among stakeholders on these issues to improve analytical methodologies and regulatory guidelines has been greatly highlighted.

The project is driven by the Methods of Harmonization Working Group and the Sub-working Group on Pesticide Multiresidue Analysis in Culinary Herbs and Spices.

We would like to thank Nestle for joining us to showcase leadership in standardizing and harmonizing an analytical approach to pesticide residues in herbs and spices, thereby enabling more efficient global commerce for key foods and ingredient.

Mineral oil hydrocarbon (MOH) is an important emerging issue locally and globally. Having excellent miscibility with oils and fats, MOH contaminants could enter the supply chain from many sources and the detection of MOH is important for preventive and mitigation purposes. Despite the potential health concern caused by Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and/or Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) and these had been regulated by European Commission, accurate quantitation of MOAH and MOSH is still a challenging task. This is especially critical for supply chain control of MOSH/MOAH and these can be transfer down from raw ingredients to final food products.

The International Workshop for MOSH MOAH Analysis in Foods was driven by the Emerging Issues Working Group.

We would like to thank Leco, ofi, Axel Semrau, Gerstel, Buchi, and Agilent Technologies for joining us  to increase the state of knowledge on MOSH MOAH analysis for Southeast Asia region.

The AOAC SEA Student Lab Tours, driven by the Training of Young Scientists Working Group, aim to provide industrial exposure to university students with an emphasis on kinds of working environments and bridge the gap between curriculum and industry.

We would like to thank Abbott Nutrition R&D and Eurofins Food Testing for joining us to make a positive impact through this corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative!