JRC-IRMM has released a new reference material which will enable food-testing laboratories to reliably detect and quantify organochlorine pesticides in pork fat.
Since the discovery of DDT as an insecticide in 1940, many organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been developed and widely used in agriculture and animal husbandry. Although the use of most OCPs is restricted or banned in the EU since the early 1970s, residues are still being found in animal products. This is mainly due to the use of imported feed from countries where the use of them is still widespread.
The new reference material from JRC-IRMM contains levels of OCPs at approximately the maximum levels set in Council Directive 86/363/EEC, which sets out maximum levels for pesticide residues in foodstuffs of animal origin. The reference material is intended to be used for method validation purposes (trueness estimation) and method performance control.
The material (ERM-BB430) is certified for the mass fraction of seven pesticides (HCB, α-HCH, β-HCH, β-HEPO, p,p’DDT, p,p’-DDE and p,p’-DDD) in the range 0.19-0.48 mg/kg. Indicative values in the range 0.055-1.87 mg/kg are attributed for another three pesticides (γ-HCH, dieldrin and endrin).
The certified and indicative values for ERM-BB430 are based on an inter-laboratory characterisation study; the uncertainty value contains contributions from the characterisation study, the common calibrant, and the homogeneity and stability assessment. The values are traceable to the International System of Units (SI). The material has been processed and certified in accordance to ISO Guides 34 and 35. Details about the material processing and certification are described in detail in the certification report, which can be accessed in the online catalogue.