Sampling Procedures to Detect Mycotoxins in Agricultural Commodities [Hardcover]

Adherence to regulatory limits for mycotoxins in agricultural commodities is important to safeguard consumers and to permit trade in affected commodities across international borders. Reliable estimates of mycotoxin concentrations are required to implement regulatory decisions on the suitability of lots of produce for consumption or trade. Effective schemes to test for mycotoxins depend not only upon sound analytical methods, but also on well designed and implemented sampling plans. This manual provides information to food analysts and regulatory officials on effective sampling plans to detect mycotoxins in food. The concepts of uncertainty and variability in mycotoxin test procedures are discussed as well as the importance of ensuring that samples are representative of the lot being sampled, and the consequences of a poorly designed sampling plan on the reliability of the measured levels of mycotoxins, possibly resulting in legal disputes and barriers to trade.Written for food analysts and regulatory officials alike, this manual provides information on effective sampling plans for the detection of mytotoxins in food. The concepts of uncertainty and variability in mycotoxin test procedures are discussed, as well as the consequences of a poorly designed sampling plan.1. Introduction1.1 Regulatory Limits1.2 Mycotoxin Units1.3 The Rationale of Accurate Sampling Procedures2. Definition of a Sampling Plan3. Uncertainty3.1 Accuracy3.2 Precision4. Sample Selection4.1 Static Lots4.2 Dynamic Lots4.3 Aggregate versus Laboratory sample5. Sample Preparation6. Analysis7. Accept/reject Limit8. Random Variation8.1 Sampling Variability8.2 Sample Preparation Variability8.3 Analytical Variability8.4 Total Variability9. Reducing Variability of a Mycotoxin Test Procedure9.1 Laboratory Sample Size9.2 Test portion Size9.3 Number Aliquots Quantified10 Designing Mycotoxin Sampling Plans10.1 Calculation of Acceptance Probability10.2 Effect of Uncertainty (Sample Size) on Risks10.3 Accept/RelE