CCQM-K138: Determination of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2and total AFs) in dried fig

The presence of any aflatoxin contamination in exported figs needs to be monitored and measured through reliable and traceable methods, which require pure and matrix certified reference materials. On the other hand, certified reference materials (CRM) for determination of aflatoxins in dried fig are not yet available. Moreover, there is a lack of CRMs to be used in routine testing laboratories for method validation and quality control. The routine testing laboratories, participating in commercial proficiency testing (PT) programs, use the results available from consensus values to evaluate the performance of the participating laboratories, rather than metrologically traceable assigned values. This study initially proposed as a key comparison and presented at the EURAMET TC-MC SCOA meeting in Malta in 2015 and subsequently at the CCQM OAWG meeting in April 2015, proposes a CRM candidate for determination of levels of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and their total in dried fig [1-4]. Evidence of successful participation in formal, relevant international comparisons are needed to document measurement capability claims (CMCs) made by national metrology institutes (NMIs) and designated institutes (DIs).