LGC Standards provides reference materials to support Dioxin and PCB contamination testing of Irish meat products11 December 2008 For further information please contact LGC Standards by emailing askus@lgcstandards.com or calling +44 (0)20 8943 8480 Dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) residues discovered in slaughtered pigs has led to the recall of all pork products originating from the Republic of Ireland since 1 September 2008. The source has been traced to contaminated feed, and tests have shown some pork products contained up to 200 times more dioxins than the recognised maximum residue limits specified by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 (Sum of dioxin and dioxin like PCBs 1.5 pg/g fat). Dioxins are formed during combustion processes, such as waste incineration, and long term exposure can cause cancer. The recall advised by the Food Standards Agencies also affects Irish exports of pork to Europe. Manufacturers, retailers and caterers can only continue to sell their products if they prove it has not been affected by the contamination, or complies with the safety limits. Laboratories testing products for the presence of dioxins and other contaminants require reference standards and materials to ensure the accuracy of their results, and the validity of their testing methods. LGC Standards has a range of products to assist testing laboratories in the analysis of dioxins, PCBs and related environmental contaminants e.g. polybrominated flame retardants:
- Individual standards for dioxins, PCBs and other environmental contaminants e.g. polybrominated flame retardants, in isotope-labelled and unlabelled forms.
- Dioxin/furan and PCB method standards, standard mixtures and reference materials
- Custom solutions for environmental contaminants in isotope-labelled and unlabelled forms.
- Processed meat matrix reference materials, including pork and related products
For further information please contact LGC Standards by emailing askus@lgcstandards.com or calling +44 (0)20 8943 8480 Notes to Editors
About LGC Standards LGC Standards is a division of LGC dedicated to those products and services specifically able to champion measurement and quality control within the laboratory. LGC Standards (trading as LGC Promochem until November 2007) supplies over 20,000 reference materials, pharmaceutical impurity reference standards, proficiency testing and training in analytical quality. LGC Standards is headquartered in Teddington, Middlesex, UK. Its global centre for excellence in proficiency testing is located in Bury (Greater Manchester). LGC Standards has offices in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the UK and representatives in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Romania and the US. About LGC LGC is an international science-based company and market leader in analytical, forensic and diagnostic services and reference standards. A progressive and innovative enterprise, LGC operates in socially responsible fields underpinning the safety, health and security of the public and the regulation of industry, for UK government departments and blue chip clients. LGC operates internationally through four divisions - LGC Forensics, Life & Food Sciences, LGC Standards and Research & Technology, which includes specialist laboratories delivering contracts under the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and supporting LGC's designated role as the UK's National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalysis. Our methodology is extensively accredited to the international standard ISO 17025. With headquarters in Teddington, South West London, the LGC Group employs over 1200 staff in 21 laboratories and centres across Europe and in India. Privatised in 1996 and now majority-owned by funds managed by LGV Capital, LGC was founded over 150 years ago as the Laboratory of the Government Chemist - a statutory function maintained by LGC today.
|