banner

Home
|
Analytical methods
|
Proficiency test

Melamine proficiency test

The JRC's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements organised a proficiency test to canvass and benchmark the testing capabilities of laboratories for melamine in foodstuffs. The JRC-IRMM was requested to conduct the proficiency test by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection, in the wake of the Chinese tainted milk scandal in 2008.

Download the report of the melamine proficiency test (icon 928KB ).

The results of the study were that 74% of the 114 results for milk powder and 73% of the 112 results for the baking mix were within the acceptable range (defined by common international measurement guidelines). These figures are in line with other similar tests that benchmark measurement competence amongst analytical laboratories. A more detailed analysis of the influence of methods and instrumentation on the results is available in the report.

Address for correspondence:





Last Update 05/05/2009