Come to WA Chemaraderie July 2022

5.30pm    Tuesday 19 July 2022

Curtin University, Exhibition Space, Building 500.

Laboratory Capacity Building in the Asia Pacific region

by

Stewart M. Jones, Asia Pacific Food Analysis Network, APFAN

Date:     Tuesday 19 July 2022

Time:     From 5.30pm.  Presentation commences at 6.00pm (not 6.15pm as previously advertised).

               Refreshments prior and at seminar conclusion

Venue:   Exhibition Area, Building 500, Curtin University

               Plenty of free parking is available close to the venue at this time of day.

Cost:      $12 Members, $15 Non-members, $5 students. This charge to cover refreshments (limited drinks and snacks). Please note the cost has increased to allow more diverse catering.

Online registration is encouraged prior to attendance.

Abstract

Accurate food analysis measurements are critical to safeguard public health and to facilitate food trade. Many organisations, including the Asia Pacific Food Analysis Network (APFAN) seek to improve the performance of laboratories in the region and there are numerous ways this can be done. For example, method validation protocols, equipment qualification (EQ) processes including calibration, and laboratory management procedures including laboratory safety all need to be in place before a laboratory can be considered ready to properly conduct analyses.

In this talk Stewart will outline a number of successful cooperative programs with Asia Pacific authorities dealing with food safety and food analysis. In terms of food analysis, training has been given on the requirements of international laboratory quality standards and the principles of chemical metrology. This indicated that inadequate method validation, and the lack of understanding of (i) the uncertainty of measurement (MU) and (ii) traceability requirements through the use of Proficiency Testing and Reference Materials are the main reasons for metrological differences between laboratories.

Beyond this, the ongoing need to demonstrate traceability of measurement through the use of certified reference materials (CRMs) and participating in proficiency testing (PT) is often a cost-prohibitive task for many Asia Pacific laboratories. For this reason, APFAN and its collaborators have produced low cost candidate RM and PT materials from the purchase of bulk foods and feeds. Preliminary trials with these materials showed that they were able to assist laboratories to improve their analytical proficiency.

Biography

Stewart Jones has a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours in chemistry from the University of Western Australia (UWA). Until recently he was the Senior Manager - Laboratory Operations of the National Measurement Institute in WA (formerly the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories, AGAL). Over the last 25 years Stewart has managed several international projects and consultancies for the Australian Government and the World Health Organization, applying his knowledge of risk management to assist laboratories and food industries in many Asia Pacific countries. He is currently the Coordinator of the Asia Pacific Food Analysis Network (APFAN).