The BCR Programme - Food Analysis

Abstract

The Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) is a department of the Commission of the European Communities having the broad aim of improving the accuracy and comparability of measurements considered important at European level.For essentially chemical measurements, these aims are realised through the organisation of carefully designed intercomparaisons involving specialised laboratories and, when necessary, lead to the preparation of Reference Materials having accurately certified properties.

In the past four years, the BCR has undertaken a systematic programme in the field of food analysis. This has led to the preparation of a series of reference materials for the analysis of toxic and nutritional elements in milk*, meats*, single cell protein and cereals; mycotoxins in milk*, animal fields and cereals; composition of edible oil and fats (fatty acids and sterols); residues of illegal or controlled compounds in farm animals (stilbenes, thyreostatics) and so on.

The projects are run in close collaboration with specialists from the laboratories of the Member States, who assist in the definition of the projects, the preparation of the materials and who execute the analytical measurements. The developpement of realistic, stable and homogeneous materials presents many practical problems. Details of the programme on food are presented and the difficulties and successes illustrated by reference to examples taken from projects in the above-mentioned areas.