Session on “Standards Harmonization of GB and AOAC/ISO/IDF”

Session on “Standards Harmonization of GB and AOAC/ISO/IDF”

This year at AOAC China meeting, the session on “Standards harmonization of GB and AOAC/ISO/IDF” was organized on May 16 in Chengdu, three key topics including acrylamide, PFAS, and bifidobacterium were well exchanged at the session. AOAC China section provided a valuable platform to enable the exchange and collaboration based on science. The presentations and following exchanges from speakers and attendees will greatly facilitate the alignment of standards.

The session was chaired by Prof. Yunfeng Zhao, Director, Chemical Laboratory, CFSA (China National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center) and Dr. Lei Bao, Head of Nestle food safety institute of China.

Prof. Yunfeng Zhao, Director, Chemical Laboratory, CFSA (China National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center)

Dr. Lei Bao, Head of Nestle food safety institute of China

1. Acrylamide

Wenliang Ji, from Jiangsu CDC, gave a speech on the latest revision progress of GB 5009.204-2014 "Determination of Acrylamide in Food". As GB drafter, he introduced the main changes of this revision, including the addition of the QuEChERs purification method to address complex matrix interference issues, the extension of matrices covering coffee, tea, sugar, and infant food, and modifications to chromatographic columns, liquid phase conditions, and LOQ.

Prof. Wenliang Ji, from Jiangsu CDC

Aurélien Desmarchelier (Nestle Research), is drafter of AOAC 2023.01, “determination of Acrylamide in Coffee, Baby food, Cocoa, Dry pet food, Potato products, Vegetable crisps, Biscuits, Tea, Nuts, and Spices by LC-MS/MS in a single-laboratory validation”. In 2021, AOAC initiatives for a consensus standard for Acrylamide, to meet global stricter regulation. Aurelien highlighted reliable method is needed to prevent unnecessary disputes and waste, and to prioritize reference materials which is critically important to the reliable results. He introduced the principle of AOAC 2023.01, a sample preparation based on the EN 16618:2015 standard with fully modified LC conditions for better reproducibility. The method performance of single lab validation was well aligned with SMPR and will go through inter-collaborative study as next step.

Aurélien Desmarchelier from Nestle Research, drafter of AOAC 2023.01

2. PFAS

Prof. Yunfeng Zhao from CFSA delivered a presentation on GB revision progress for PFAS analysis in food. PFAS, known for their stability and resistance to degradation, pose significant health risks including hepatotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and neurotoxicity. The current standard GB5009.253-2016 is limited in scope and does not cover the range of PFAS, necessitating a revision. The proposed method utilizes isotope dilution-ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-UHPLC-MS/MS) for a broader analysis of both animal and plant-based food matrices, aiming to improve the accuracy of dietary exposure assessments for PFAS in China. The method's validation includes a range of food items, emphasizing the need for low detection limits, accuracy, and precision. He also highlighted the importance of controlling reagent and instrumental backgrounds to ensure reliable results.

Prof. Yunfeng Zhao from CFSA

Thierry Delatour from Nestle Research then highlighted the urgent necessity for a consensus method to regulate PFAS in food. He emphasized the need for bans, maximum limits, and mandatory monitoring in food packaging, the environment, and manufacturing. He introduced the scope and features of available LC-MS/MS methods, and the progress of AOAC SMPR 2023.003 which is the performance requirements for PFAS in Produce, Beverages, Dairy Products, Eggs, Seafood, Meat Products and Feed. His presentation underscored the importance of method harmonization, proficiency testing, and the use of certified reference materials for accurate PFAS analysis in food.

Dr. Thierry Delatour from Nestle Research

3. Probiotics

Jin Xu from the CFSA outlines the status of the GB progress for the Examination of Bifidobacterium in Food. He introduced the List of Culture used for Food in China and Construction of Food Safety National Standard for Culture used for Food, highlighting the importance of strain designation, functional characterization, safety assessment, and proper labeling. Advanced testing methods such as MALDI-TOF, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and real-time PCR are mandatory for accurate species identification. The standard aims to ensure safety, production quality, and the development of the probiotics industry, with a list of permissible cultures for food and infant food, along with upcoming safety assessment procedures.

Prof. Jin Xu from the CFSA

Accordingly, Adrianne Klijn (Nestle Research) addressed the critical need for standardized enumeration methods for probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that must be quantified to ensure health benefits, with cultural methods currently serving as the "gold standard." However, these methods may not account for all viable cells, including "viable but not culturable" (VBNC) cells. Emerging technologies like flow cytometry, real-time PCR, and droplet digital PCR offer more accurate and faster enumeration but require specialized knowledge and equipments. She highlighted the importance of developing horizontal standards, such as ISO, to complement existing vertical and local standards, and called for expert involvement in this process.

Dr. Adrianne Klijn from Nestle Research