|
Guidelines for establishing the suitability of |
|
|
Adopt standardised criteria for assessing the suitability of microbiological methods for food analysis, to ensure reliability of results, achieve or sustain laboratory accreditation, or support a due diligence defence. All food microbiology laboratories should be able to demonstrate that the methods they use are suitable for the intended purpose and are being used correctly. This not only gives confidence in the results but also supports laboratory accreditation and strengthens due diligence cases. Whilst 'external' validations - perhaps carried out by a manufacturer or via an independent validation scheme - can demonstrate that a particular method works, it is unlikely to show how the method will perform in a specific laboratory with all relevant food, drinks and related materials. This guide provides a systematic and practicable approach to support external validation data with evidence of suitability of a particular method in a specific laboratory for specified food materials. The guidelines give advice on how to carry out an in-house method assessment for laboratories wishing to:
It does not cover inter-laboratory trials nor the validation of new non-standard methods, for which other guides exist. Click here to view sample pages.
This guide is aimed at food and drink company microbiologists, technical managers and laboratory personnel involved in the microbiological analysis of food and drink.
Introduction Scope Planning an assessment Purpose and scope of the suitability study Establishment of criteria for method assessment Review of previous validation data and published literature Determination of experimental design
Methods of data analysis
Worked examples
Appendices
|