Procedure

Six steps from lot to report. Each step has its own errors, and the largest occurs at the beginning.

1. Define the objective and the standard: Is the lot destined for food, feed or a specific animal species? Only then do you know which limit applies, and therefore which lower limit your test must achieve.
2. Sample representatively: Divide the lot into sublots, take the prescribed number of incremental samples and combine into an aggregate sample. For lots of 50 tonnes and above, this means 100 incremental samples and 10 kg.
3. Reduce and mill the sample: Subdivide the aggregate sample according to the prescribed method and finely mill the laboratory sample. A minimum of 90 % passing through a 20-mesh sieve is the practical lower limit.
4. Extract and dilute: Follow the ratios for the strip: 50 g sample with 100 or 250 ml solvent, depending on the type. Water extraction avoids methanol, but requires a separate extraction powder.
5. Measure and record: Incubate at 45 °C and read in the EZ-M system. EZ Receiver records test ID, sample ID, operator and time, and checks the result against the product limit. When in doubt, repeat with a second dilution or a control sample.
6. Interpret and decide: Compare the result with the standard, taking measurement uncertainty into account. In the event of an exceedance: confirm, notify and place the lot on hold.

The four most frequent errors

• Sampling from a single point: Mycotoxins occur in clusters. An incremental sample from the top layer of a silo misses the spot with the highest level at the bottom and presents an overly favourable picture.
• Milling too coarsely: With coarse grinds, repeatability drops sharply. The analysis is then repeated accurately, but on a different particle each time.
• Diluting without knowing the matrix: Each strip has its own ratios and its own matrices. Adopting a dilution from another test introduces a systematic error.
• Using a screening result as evidence: A validated confirmatory analysis is required for disputes or enforcement. Therefore, always retain the original sample and the raw data; EZ Receiver stores the result and who approved it.

Checklist for the receiving pit

• Destination and standard known prior to measurement
• Number of incremental samples and aggregate weight in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/2782
• Grinding equipment clean and adjusted
• Strip at room temperature and within shelf life
• Control sample or daily calibration strip available
• Operator and lot recorded in EZ Receiver
• In the event of a positive result: second dilution and counter-sample retained