IJCA - Volume 3 - Flipbook - Page 12
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The International Journal of Conformity Assessment
a given laboratory test; does our overarching testing
strategy make sense in the context of the risks we’re
mitigating; and are we making the best use of the
resources we have?
Summary/Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper discusses critical
parameters that contribute to or detract from the
value of analytical testing samples in the context of
food safety risk assessments. By proposing a basic
framework for assigning value to analytical results
which considers scienti昀椀c validity, interpretability, and
impact, it sheds light on the complexities involved in
assessing the true worth of testing activities within
the food supply chain.
The analysis underscores the importance of
holistic, risk-based preventative strategies, which
may encompass various tools beyond testing,
such as inspections, audits, risk assessments,
and certi昀椀cations. However, it acknowledges that
testing remains indispensable in certain scenarios,
particularly when assessing speci昀椀c food safety risks,
such as those associated with agricultural production
or import/export trading.
The paper identi昀椀es common critical failures that
can affect the scienti昀椀c validity, interpretability, and
impact of analytical results, including issues related to
representativity, traceability, contamination, delays in
reporting, analytical errors, and failures in competence.
These failures emphasize the necessity of maintaining
integrity throughout the testing process to ensure the
reliability and usefulness of the results.
Moreover, the proposed framework for assessing
the value of analytical samples emphasizes the
importance of considering costs and risks to all
stakeholders, as well as the need to assign value
based on potential scenarios and likelihoods. It
underscores the ethical and practical signi昀椀cance of
prevention over reactionary measures, highlighting
that the value of a sample transcends mere testing
costs and commercial losses.
Ultimately, this paper emphasizes the importance
of strategic decision-making informed by
careful risk assessment, considering available
resources and striving for a balance between
mitigating risks and achieving desired outcomes.
By adopting such an approach, stakeholders in
the food supply chain can better navigate the
complexities of food safety testing and ultimately
safeguard consumer health and con昀椀dence.
Author Biographies
Jesse L. Calvillo is Head of New Initiatives at Analytica
Alimentaria GmbH, a global food safety laboratory
based in Berlin, Germany. Jesse has 15 years of
experience in food safety testing and regulatory
compliance. He studied Chemistry at Pepperdine
University in Malibu, California; holds a Master of
Information and Data Science from the University of
California, Berkeley; and is a recognized trainer for
various food safety topics including U.S. Seafood
HACCP and U.S. FSMA programs.
Udo Lampe is Founder and Managing Director of
Analytica Alimentaria GmbH. He has 25 years of
experience in food safety and holds the title of stateapproved private expert for pesticide residues and
pathogens crosscheck analyses in Brandenburg,
Germany. He studied Geoecology at the Technical
University Carolo Wilhelmina in Brunswick, Germany.
References
[1] MRFR. “Global food safety testing market from 2017
to 2025, by food type (in million U.S. dollars).” Chart.
March 27, 2020. Statista. Accessed March 1, 2024.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1286148/globalfood-safety-testing-market-by-food-type/
[2] “Food - Worldwide.” Accessed March 1, 2024. https://
www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/food/worldwide
[3] Elabdeen Kassem, AZ. 2018. “Cost of Foodborne
Illnesses: A literature Review.” Peer reviewed article
presented at the 1st International Conference of
Egyptian Society of Food Safety, “Food Safety
Science, Health and Behavior” Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
February 15-18, 2018. https://www.researchgate.
net/publication/326920435_Cost_of_Foodborne_
Illnesses_A_literature_Review
