In a bid to enhance the safety standards of flour products, BIPEA has launched a new proficiency test, 56A: Microbiology in Flours: Artificial Contamination, which is scheduled for its inaugural round in June 2024.

This initiative aims to ensure the microbiological safety of flour-based products and standardize testing procedures across the industry. The use of spiked contamination in the test matrix provides a controlled environment to assess the proficiency of laboratories in detecting and quantifying specific microbial contaminants in flours.

Details of Test:

• Matrix: Flour (50 g)
• Analytes: Salmonella spp, E. coli
• Results: CFU/g for E. coli and detection for Salmonella spp
• Standards: E. coli: NF ISO 16649-2 / other method and  Salmonella: NF ISO 6579-1 / other method

Schedule:
The proficiency test is set to commence with one round in June 2024, focusing on the microbiological analysis of flour samples. Participants will be required to analyze the samples provided for the presence of Salmonella spp and quantify the colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g) for E. coli.

Deadlines:

• Deadline for Registration: April 26th, 2024
• Shipment of Samples: June 2024
• Deadline for Submitting Results: 4 weeks after the samples’ shipment

Download more details here or connect with BIEA directly using the Request Information button below