Proficiency Testing Scheme for Toxic Elements in Milkfish (Chanos chanos) in the Philippines: Ensuring Food Safety and Quality Control

• Abstract:

  Milkfish (Chanos chanos) is a staple
  aquaculture product in the Philippines, making food
  safety and quality assurance essential for consumer
  protection. This study presents an accuracy-based
  proficiency testing (PT) scheme to assess the capability
  of Philippine chemical testing laboratories to quantify
  toxic elements in milkfish. Philippine Reference
  Material (PRM) 2002 – As, Cd, Hg & Pb in Milkfish
  was prepared and distributed to participating
  laboratories for independent analysis. Results were
  evaluated using z’-scores and other statistical
  performance metrics.
  A total of 26 local testing laboratories participated in
  the PT scheme, with 23 submitting results. Among
  them, 42 % of the 12 participants for total As, 62 % of
  the 21 participants for Cd, 64 % of the 14 participants
  for total Hg, and 82 % of the 22 participants for Pb
  achieved an "acceptable" z’-score performance. These
  findings highlight areas for improvement in laboratory
  proficiency, underscoring the importance of
  continuous development and active participation in
  accuracy-based proficiency testing (PT) schemes to
  enhance the reliability and accuracy of toxic element
  analysis in Philippine laboratories.
• Download:

  IMEKO-TC8-11-24-2025-004.pdf
• DOI:

  tc24-2025.004

Event details:

• IMEKO TC:

  TC24
• Event name:

  IMEKO TC8, TC11 and TC24 Conference
• Title:

  Joint conference of the TCs ‘Traceability in Metrology’ (IMEKO TC8), ‘Measurement in Testing, Inspection and Certification’ (IMEKO TC11), and ‘Chemical Measurements’ (IMEKO TC24).

• Place:

  Torino, ITALY
• Time:

  14 September 2025 - 17 September 2025