This area contains summary information on proficiency tests and comparative exercises organised by the National Reference Laboratory for Heavy Metals in Food (2009 - 2019).
Year 2019
(These tests, scheduled by the LNR-MPA in 2018, were carried out in 2019, overlapping with the start of the activities of the NRL-MN)
Proficiency Test 3/2019. Determination of the concentrations of total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni) in rapeseed oil. Comparative exercises related to the determination of the concentrations of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium ( Se), silver (Ag), thallium (Tl), uranium (U), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) in the same matrix. The PT was organised in collaboration with the Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (BVL) Referat, Berlin (Germany). Test materials: rapeseed oil. Participants: Italian laboratories, 23. German laboratories, 24. Carried out from November 18 to December 30, 2019.
Proficiency Test 2/2019. Determination of the concentrations of total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and nickel (Ni) in wild mushrooms. Comparative exercises related to the determination of the concentrations of aluminum (Al), inorganic arsenic (iAs) and other arsenic species (DMA, arsenobetaine), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), methylmercury (MeHg), potassium (K), selenium (Se), silver (Ag), sodium (Na), thallium (Tl), uranium (U) and zinc (Zn) in the same matrix.
The PT was organised in collaboration with the Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (BVL) Referat, Berlin (Germany).
Test materials: freeze-dried mushrooms.
Participants: Italian laboratories, 25. German laboratories, 29.
Carried out from October 24 to December 18, 2019.
Year 2018
Proficiency Test 1/2018. Determination of the total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni) and tin (Sn) in tomato pureè.
The PT was organised in collaboration with the Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (BVL) Referat, Berlin (Germany).
Test materials: tomato puree.
Participants: Italian laboratories, 16. German laboratories, 19.
Carried out from March 27 to May 15, 2018.
Year 2017
Proficiency Test 2/2017. Determination of the concentrations of total arsenic (As), inorganic arsenic (iAs), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and nickel (Ni) in powdered seaweeds.
Comparative exercises for the determination of the concentrations of aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper ( Cu), iodine (I), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), silver (Ag),thallium (Tl), uranium (U) and zinc (Zn) in powdered seaweeds.
The PT was organised in collaboration with the Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (BVL) Referat, Berlin (Germany).
Test materials: powdered seaweeds.
Participants: Italian laboratories, 11. German laboratories, 28.
Carried out from June 16 to July 24, 2017.
Proficiency Test 1/2017. Determination of the total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in freeze-dried mussels. Comparative exercises for the determination of inorganic arsenic (iAs) and nickel (Ni) concentrations in l freeze-dried mussels.
Test materials: freeze-dried mussels.
Participants: 14 laboratories
Carried out from 25 January to 30 March, 2017.
Year 2016
Proficiency Test 2/2016. Determination of the total concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in honey.
Test materials: honey.
Participants: 15 laboratories
Carried out from 13 June to 26 August 2016.
Proficiency Test 1/2016. Determination of the total concentrations of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), in frozen pork.
Test materials: frozen pork.
Participants: 13 laboratories
Carried out from 5 May to 20 June, 2016.
Year 2015
Proficiency Test 1/2015. Determination of the concentrations of inorganic As (iAs) and of the total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in chocolate.
Test materials: chocolate.
Participants: 16 laboratories
Carried out from 10 September to 30 October, 2015.
Year 2013
Proficiency Test 1/2013. Determination of the total concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in powdered baby food.
Test Materials: powdered infant formula based on animal proteins.
Participants: 14 laboratories
Carried out from 10 December 2013 to 31 January 2014.
Year 2012
Proficiency Test 1/2012. Determination of the total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in cow's milk.
Test materials: semi-skimmed cow's milk.
Participants: 13 laboratories.
Carried out from 26 September to 3 November, 2012.
Year 2011
Proficiency Test 1/2011. Determination of the total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in liver.
Test materials: homogenised bovine liver, frozen.
Participants: 15 laboratories.
Carried out from 14 December 2011 to 20 January, 2012.
Year 2010
Proficiency Test 3/2010. Determination of the total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in fish.
Test materials: homogenised fish muscle, frozen.
Participants: 18 laboratories.
Carried out from 9 February to 11 March, 2011.
Proficiency Test 2/2010. Determination of the total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in turkey meat.
Test materials: homogenised turkey meat, frozen.
Participants: 17 laboratories.
Carried out from 27 October to 26 November, 2010.
Proficiency Test 1/2010. Determination of the total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in cow's milk.
Test materials: fresh cow's milk, sterilised.
Participants: 17 laboratories.
Carried out from June 24 to July 26, 2010.
Year 2009
Proficiency Test 1/2009. Determination of the total concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in cow's milk.
Test materials: two samples of fresh, sterilized cow's milk, containing As, Cd and Pb at different concentrations.
Participants: 17 laboratories.
Carried out from 19 May to 15 September, 2009.
LNR per i metalli e i composti azotati negli alimenti
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