A proficiency testing was held in 2010 in order to understand the analytical competence of the joined laboratories for melamine adultaration in food. Given milk products were used as the testing materials that showed consistent and effective in terms of homogeneity and stability. A total of 18 laboratories participated in the test, including 2 and 16 laboratories from local health bureaus and private sectors, respectively. The analytical results were analyzed using Robust-Z statistics into three grading categories as follows: |Z| score ≤ 2 as ‘satisfactory’, 2 < | Z | < 3 as ‘acceptable’ and | Z | ≥ 3 as ‘unsatisfactory’. Among the laboratories evaluated, 14, 1 and 3 were graded as ‘satisfactory’, ‘acceptable’, and unsatisfactory, respectively. Laboratories graded in the category of ‘unsatisfactory’ were mandated to provide a report of correction, as well as were requested to take the second test. Laboratories are expected to consistently improve their quality control system through this proficiency testing routine.
A proficiency testing was held in 2010 in order to understand the analytical competence of the joined laboratories for melamine adultaration in food. Given milk products were used as the testing materials that showed consistent and effective in terms of homogeneity and stability. A total of 18 laboratories participated in the test, including 2 and 16 laboratories from local health bureaus and private sectors, respectively. The analytical results were analyzed using Robust-Z statistics into three grading categories as follows: |Z| score ≤ 2 as ‘satisfactory’, 2 < | Z | < 3 as ‘acceptable’ and | Z | ≥ 3 as ‘unsatisfactory’. Among the laboratories evaluated, 14, 1 and 3 were graded as ‘satisfactory’, ‘acceptable’, and unsatisfactory, respectively. Laboratories graded in the category of ‘unsatisfactory’ were mandated to provide a report of correction, as well as were requested to take the second test. Laboratories are expected to consistently improve their quality control system through this proficiency testing routine.