National Laboratory and Testing Network
Section 2. Strengthening the Testing Capability of National and Local Laboratories
Current Status
TFDA actively develop rapid and accurate testing methods in order to clarify the beginning and end of contingencies, propose response strategies, and use press releases and media broadcasts and presentations to eliminate public confusion and concerns. TFDA continuously enhance instrument, equipment testing techniques and strengthen laboratory quality assurance to obtain accreditation and international recognition.
Policies and Outcomes
1. Strengthening the Testing Capacity of the National Laboratory
(1) TFDA organized a series of courses such as Identification of Unknown Materials. Course contents included applications of chromatography / mass spectrometry techniques in food testing, organic spectroscopy techniques and applications, and applied analytical techniques for identifying adulterants in honey and its processed products. TFDA also acquired modern equipment and instruments such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC by GC) coupled with quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS) to develop new analysis methods and stipulate technical documents for public use.
(2) TFDA organized large scale international conferences such as the 2015 APEC Conference on Management and Related Scientific Detection of Food Additives in Foods and International Conference on Illegal Drugs in addition to over 10 national conferences or expert meetings to exchange and share technical experiences and establish channels of communication and collaboration.
2. Project Testing
(1) Electronic cigarettes are currently an illegal product in Taiwan but have begun spreading amongst users. To safeguard public health, TFDA carried out tests of specimens submitted by local health bureaus, prosecutor's offices, police departments, and the Customs Administration. The number of specimens received from the Customs Administration in 2015 was a 30-fold increase compared to 2014. From 2013 to 2015, nicotine content was found in 66% of the specimens (Figure 2-7-2). The specimens that contain nicotine were transferred to the original authority for subsequent handling.
(2) TFDA submitted an official request to 11 local health bureaus such as New Taipei City on June 29, 2015 to sample and test cosmetics used for cleansing properties from hotels, tourist housing, or food service businesses found near reservoirs under their jurisdiction. The tests carried out were used to identify nonylphenol and nonylphenol polyethoxylates. 34 specimens were found to comply with the regulations.
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(3) In response to the suspected formaldehyde contamination of Sindine Alcoholic Solution (Povidone-Iodine), TFDA worked with the responsible local health bureaus and departments to sample four specimens of Alcohol 95% at the original manufacturer on December 8, 2015.
Testing was conducted according to the specifications of the original manufacturer and 38th version of the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP 38). One of the specimens failed to comply with the specifications of the original manufacturer on aldehydes and other organic contaminants. Testing for organic impurities provided in the impurities section of alcohol products in USP 38 published in 2015 also identified acetaldehyde. However, formaldehyde was not found. TFDA then sent an official request to the manufacturer to revise its internal SOPs for nonconforming product testing and testing exemptions for raw materials, and to submit investigation reports.
(4) TFDA developed molecular biological species identification techniques to safeguard food sanitation and safety for the general public.
a. TFDA received a report from Taitung County Public Health Bureau on March 18, 2015 of sore throat, fever, exhaustion, dizziness, amentia, delusion, and diplopia and other symptoms amongst members of the public who had consumed A Bai (rice dumplings) prepared by themselves. The cases were suspected to have been caused by ingesting poisoned plants.
Fortunately, the symptoms subsided after emergency medical aid. After DNA analysis for identifying the species of plant, it was found that the leaves contained Angel's trumpet plant (Brugmansia spp.) and it was verified that the victims had mistaken the leaves of the poisonous plant (Figure 2-7-3) for the edible jiasuanjiang (Nicandra physaloides).
0
Items tested Number of items found to contain nicotine Identification 395324
100.0%
38.5%
86.1% 82.0%
66.9.0%
An illustration of the electronic cigarette and percentage of specimen containing nicotine Figure 2-7-2
Leaves of the poisonous Angel's trumpet plant (Brugmansia spp.) Figure 2-7-3
83 b. TFDA received a report from Nantou County Public Health Bureau on June 2, 2015 of vomiting,
nausea, and abdominal pain after members of the public harvested and consumed mushrooms that grew from a compost heap. Molecular biological technique was employed to identify species of the fungus. The unknown specimen was found to be the poisonous green spored parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites) (Figure 2-7-4) which was mistakenly believed to be edible.
c. On November 11, 2015, TFDA worked with Changhua County Public Health Bureau and police inspectors, and identified vendors who adulterated cod with the cheaper catfish (Figure 2-7-5).
The vendor imported frozen minced catfish from Vietnam which was sliced, covered with flour, and sold as handmade Japanese-style cod fillet, therefore that was guilty of untruthful labeling.
TFDA implemented molecular biological species identification tests for the fish components of the product. Results showed most specimens were made using catfish, and no one oroduct contained cod. TFDA develope new molecular biological technology to identify fish species in seafood, this method was successfully applied to verify and penalize illegal acts, defend the rights of consumers.
Specimen of the poisonous green spored parasol (Chlorophyllum molybdites) Figure 2-7-4
Specimen of adulterated cod fillet Figure 2-7-5
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(5) TFDA Actively Develops Rapid and Precise Specimen Testing Methods to Resolve Public Concerns a. There was an incident in New Taipei City on May 13, 2015 where vendors used non-food grade
glacial acetic acid for processing sea cucumbers. Vendors illegally applied industrial-grade glacial acetic acid to soak sea cucumbers so that they would appear like the more expensive heiyu (black jade) sea cucumbers in order to fetch higher profits. In order to clarify the incident, TFDA completed headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis to evaluate residual acetic acid of the sea cucumbers within 1 week and implemented training for the testing techniques on May 29, 2015. The 59 specimens of finished products and semi-finished products of the sea cucumbers sampled by the local health bureaus were subject to testing. 52 of the specimens tested positive for the substance. The test results have been notified to the relevant health bureaus and departments as well as inspection agencies for subsequent processing.
b. In mid-June, news reports and Internet videos showing the immersion of Thailand durian in an unknown yellow liquid were circulated. It was rumored that the said liquid could be an unknown pesticide, detergent, or dye. To investigate and clarify this incident, TFDA actively acquired durian imported from Thailand from various stores. Conspicuous yellow deposits were found on the husk which seemed to indicate that the durian may have been immersed in an unknown yellow liquid. After analysis, it was found that the yellow deposits were composed of three compounds found as the major components of natural turmeric extracts (curcuminoids), namely:
bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and curcumin. Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family. The yellow powder obtained by grinding the rhizomes is one of the key ingredients of curry and is also responsible for the yellow color of the curry.
3. Precision Testing of the National Laboratory
TFDA was dedicated to its role as a gatekeeper of food and drugs safety for the general public, and has been a long-term participant of international proficiency testing schemes to demonstrate d. On June 26, 2015, TFDA received a report from Taitung County Public Health Bureau about diarrhea amongst people who have consumed raw oysters which was suspected to be a case of norovirus poisoning. TFDA used molecular biological technology in tandem with gene sequencing to investigate this case. Minute quantities of suspected viral particles were collected from the midgut gland of the raw oyster. Test results revealed contamination by noroviruses GI and GII. After tracing, the oysters were found to be imported from South Korea. Related supplies were quarantined while specimens were preserved (Figure 2-7-6), successfully containing the source of the contamination as well as the scope of the food poisoning incident.
Raw oysters with norovirus contamination and preserved specimen Figure 2-7-6
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Organizer Name of the proficiency test Results
Central Science Laboratory (CSL), UK FAPAS proficiency testing (14 items) Satisfactory US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Precision testing competence for genetically modified (GM) soybeans and maize Satisfactory
ENERSOL Laboratory, Australia Interlaboratory Proficiency Trial of Glove Testing Laboratories Interlaboratory Proficiency Trial of Male Condom Testing
Laboratories Satisfactory
EDQM Laboratory, Europe Interlaboratory Proficiency Testing Scheme for Fluorides in Toothpastes
Joint research for the 4th International Standard for Streptomycin Satisfactory National Institute for Biological
Standards and Control (NISBC)
Joint research for the 5th WHO International Standard for HCV Joint research for the 1st WHO International Standard for anti-EV71
serum Satisfactory
Collaborative Testing Services, Inc.
(CTS), US Forensics testing proficiency tests Satisfactory
4. Publications
TFDA employed emerging technologies to establish new testing methods, and published 12 papers in international journals and published 59 poster presentations in domestic and international conferences.
5. Enhancing Local Testing Proficiency and Quality
Integration of testing resources, subsidies to local health bureaus and departments, as well as supervision and assessments effectively improved the efficiency and quality of testing activities carried out by local agencies and allowed the establishment of a comprehensive national food safety laboratory network.
(1) Subsidizing Instruments and Equipment, and Enhancing Capacity of the Lab Testing Network In order to improve the efficiency and quality of specialized testing activities carried out by various health bureaus and departments, TFDA provided support for acquiring precision instruments and standard samples. Testing resources and special regional requirements of the health bureaus and departments were also referenced to establish specialized testing programs in health bureaus and departments in northern, central, southern, municipal, and the nation-wide Regional Joint Testing Specialization System of Health Bureaus and Departments.
(2) Results of Joint Regional Specialization
According to the List of Specialized Food Sanitation Testing in Central and Local Agencies, average independent testing capacity of local health bureaus and departments prior to the subsidies was 35%. This figure was raised to an average of 80% after the subsidies. When compared to 2014, additional Independent Tests introduced in 2015 included tests for 214 modern pharmaceutical product adulterants in food (and traditional Chinese medicine), 3-monochloro-1, 2-propandiol, dimethyl yellow, and diethyl yellow.
(3) Laboratory Certification
To ensure laboratory testing quality, TFDA certified 698 laboratory tests in 22 health bureaus and departments throughout Taiwan by 2015.
A list of international proficiency testing schemes that TFDA has participated in 表 2-5-2 Table2-7-1
that the testing competences of TFDA National Laboratory have been recognized around the world (Table 2-7-1).
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