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Department of Agriculture

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  4. Importing goods
  5. Food
  6. Appointed analysts
  7. Testing and reporting guide for appointed analysts

Sidebar first - Import

  • Appointed analysts
    • Testing imported food samples
    • Conditions for appointment as an analyst

Testing and reporting guide for appointed analysts

As an appointed analyst, you test samples of imported food. This is part of our Imported Food Inspection Scheme.

This guide sets out:

  • units of measurement to use when reporting results
  • minimum performance required of any testing methodology (limit of reporting)
  • how to report the results of analysis.

We do not specify what test methods to use. However, you must have National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) or International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) accreditation for the food/analyte combination you are testing.

You must comply with the conditions for appointment as an analyst.

Imports referred for testing

All imports into Australia are lodged with the Department of Home Affairs’ Integrated Cargo System (ICS).

Certain entries lodged with ICS will be identified as requiring inspection. The ICS will send the details to our Agriculture Import Management System (AIMS).

We issue an Imported Food Inspection Report (IFIR) for the food we inspect and test.

Importers choose a laboratory

Importers choose a laboratory when their food imports are being tested. They submit a nomination form directly to a laboratory.

When you receive a nomination form, complete the ‘Laboratory use only’ section and send it to our regional office near you.

The importer can then book their inspection.

Collecting samples

Our officers collect a representative sample when they inspect the imported food. The sample may be a single unit per lot or multiple sub-samples per lot.

We place samples in a tamper evident bag with a unique barcode. The barcode will be placed on the IFIR which must accompany the sample bag to the appointed analyst.

AIMS contains information from the IFIR. The IFIR records:

  • what food is to be held or be released
  • information to identify the sampled food
  • what tests will be applied.

Receiving samples

We will send you an electronic IFIR (eIFIR) when samples are ready for collection. You must arrange for a courier to collect the samples from the collection point.

A copy of the IFIR will be attached to the food sample you receive.

Contact the relevant regional office if the IFIR:

  • is not included with the sample
  • is incomplete or illegible
  • does not match the barcode on the food sample.

Testing samples

Complete the tests on the food sample listed on the IFIR.

Where compositing is permitted in specific tests, take sub-samples of equal mass or volume from each of the original samples to form the composite sample for analysis.

If the sample receives a failing result, follow the confirmatory testing requirements before reporting the result.

Adulteration of honey with C4 sugars
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
ADULTHNYAdulteration with C4 sugarsNot required/
1 result
%Not applicable
Aflatoxin
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
AFLATAflatoxinPermitted/
1 result
mg/kg0.004
Arsenic (total)
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
ARSENICTArsenic (total)Permitted/
1 result
mg/kg1
Cannabidiol
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/ No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
CANNACannabidiolPermitted/ 1 resultmg/kg0.5
Carbon monoxide
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/ No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
COCarbon monoxidePermitted/ 1 resultmg/kg0.2
Cephalosporins
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
CEPHALOCeftiofurPermitted/1 resultmg/kg0.1
Domoic acid
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
DOMOICDomoic acidPermitted/
1 result
mg/kg2
Fluoroquinolones
Note: 1 result for each of the analytes listed below is required, with exception of Levofloxacin and Ofloxacin, which is to be reported as one result.
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
FLUOROCiprofloxacinPermitted /
1 result for
each of the
chemicals listed
mg/kg0.002
Enrofloxacin
Gatifloxacin
Moxifloxacin
Norfloxacin
Sarafloxacin
sum of Levofloxacin and Ofloxacin
Histamine
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
HISTAHistaminePermitted/
1 result
mg/kg20
Hydrocyanic acid
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
HCNHydrocyanic acidPermitted/
1 result
mg/kg5
Inorganic arsenic
Note: report ‘at 85% hydration’ in the ‘test methods’ field
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
INORGInorganic arsenicPermitted/
1 result
mg/kg
at 85% hydration
0.1
Iodine
Note: report ‘dry weight’ in the ‘test methods’ field
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
IODINEIodinePermitted/
1 result
mg/kg
dry weight
0.1
Lead
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
LEADLeadPermitted/
1 result
mg/kg0.1
Malachite green
Test CodeAnalytesComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
MALAGMalachite greenPermitted /1 result for each of the chemicals listedmg/kg0.002
Leuco–malachite green
Moisture content
Test CodeAnalytesComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
MOISTHNYMoisture contentNot required/
1 result
%Not applicable
Nitrofurans 
Note:  Soft shell crab with an initial nitrofuran semicarbazide (SEM) result at or above LOR of 0.001mg/kg, requires a secondary test of the inner portions (meat only) to be analysed and reported.
Test CodeAnalytesComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
NITROFUFurazolidone (AOZ)Permitted /
1 result for
each of the
chemicals listed
mg/kg0.001
Furaltadone (AMOZ)mg/kg0.001
Nitrofurantoine (AHD)mg/kg0.001
Nitrofurazone (SEM)mg/kg0.001
Paralytic shellfish poison
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
PSPParalytic shellfish poisonPermitted/
1 result
mg/kg0.8
Quinolones
Test CodeAnalytesComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
QUINOFlumequinePermitted 1 result for each of the chemicals listedmg/kg0.002
Oxolinic acid
Reducing sugars content
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
SUGARHNYReducing sugars contentNot required/
1 result
%Not applicable
Streptomycin
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
STREPStreptomycinPermitted/
1 result
mg/kg0.026
Sulphonamides
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
SULPHASulphonamidesPermitted/
1 result
mg/kg0.1
Tetracycline
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
TETRACYChlortetracyclinePermitted /
1 result for
each of the
chemicals listed
mg/kg0.025
Doxycycline
Oxytetracycline
Tetracycline
Total THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
THCTotal THCPermitted / 1 resultmg/kg0.5
Virginiamycin
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
VIRGNVirginiamycinPermitted/
1 result
mg/kg0.1

Compositing not permitted
One result required for a liquid sample (at least 100ml)
Five results required for powder samples (at least 100g per sample)

Test code: ALLEGEND

Allergen - dairy milk
Results to be reportedComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
Beta-lactoglobulinNot permitted/1 result for liquid and 5 results for powderppm0.1
Casein (expressed as skim milk powder)Not permitted/1 result for liquid and 5 results for powderppm1.0
Total milk (expressed as non-fat dried milk)Not permitted/1 result for liquid and 5 results for powderppm2.5

Portion of the commodity prepared for testing must be as per Schedule 22 (Foods and classes of foods) of the Food Standards Code (see statements under each commodity in the schedule which describe the ‘Portion of the commodity to which the MRL applies’).

Compositing permitted.

Reporting requirements:

Where all residues are below the LOR, report an analysis result as per the table.

Analysis to be reportedUnitsResults of analysis
All residues <LORmg/kg< LOR
All-analytesmg/kg< LOR

Where residues are detected equal to or greater than the LOR, report an analysis result as per the following table. Include the measurement uncertainty (MU) in mg/kg in the ‘Results of analysis’ field directly after the analysis result. Report to one significant figure.

Analysis to be reportedUnitsResults of analysis
Residues <LOR exceptmg/kg< LOR
<<analyte>>mg/kg<<result>> MU<<result>>
e.g. bifenthrinmg/kg0.16 MU 0.02

Test code: FVRES

Analytes to be reportedFSC 1.4.2 Residue definitionUnitsLimit of reporting
2-phenylphenolsum of 2-phenylphenol and 2-phenylphenatemg/kg0.05
acephate mg/kg0.05
aldrin and dieldrinsum of HHDN and HEODmg/kg0.05
azinphos-methyl mg/kg0.05
azoxystrobin mg/kg0.05
benalaxyl mg/kg0.05
bifenthrin mg/kg0.01
bioresmethrin mg/kg0.05
bitertanol mg/kg0.05
boscalid mg/kg0.05
captan mg/kg0.05
carbaryl mg/kg0.1
carbendazimsum of carbendazim and 2-aminobenzimidazolemg/kg0.05
chlorfenvinphossum of E and Z isomersmg/kg0.05
chlorothalonil mg/kg0.05
chlorpyrifos mg/kg0.01
chlorpyrifos-methyl mg/kg0.05
chlorthal-dimethyl mg/kg0.05
cyfluthrinsum of isomersmg/kg0.05
cyhalothrinsum of isomersmg/kg0.01
cypermethrinsum of isomersmg/kg0.05
cyproconazolesum of isomersmg/kg0.05
cyprodinil mg/kg0.05
DDTsum of p,p DDT; o,p DDT; p,p DDE and p,p DDDmg/kg0.05
deltamethrin mg/kg0.05
diazinon mg/kg0.05
dichlorvos mg/kg0.05
dicloran mg/kg0.05
dicofolsum of dicofol and 2,2,2-trichloro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethanolmg/kg0.1
difenoconazole mg/kg0.05
dimethoatesum of dimethoate and omethoatemg/kg0.02
dimethomorphsum of E and Z isomersmg/kg0.05
diphenylamine mg/kg0.05
disulfotonsum of disulfoton and demeton-S and their sulfoxides and sulfonesmg/kg0.05
diuronsum of diuron and 3,4- dichloroanilinemg/kg0.05
endosulfansum of A- and B- endosulfan and endosulfan sulphatemg/kg0.05
endrin mg/kg0.05
ethoprofos mg/kg0.05
fenamiphossum of fenamiphos, its sulfoxide and sulfonemg/kg0.05
fenarimol mg/kg0.05
fenhexamid mg/kg0.02
fenitrothion mg/kg0.01
fenoxycarb mg/kg0.05
fenpyroximate mg/kg0.05
fenthionsum of fenthion, its oxygen analogue, and their sulfoxides and sulfonesmg/kg0.05
fenvaleratesum of isomersmg/kg0.05
fipronilsum of fipronil, the sulphenyl metabolite, the sulphonyl metabolite and the trifluoromethyl metabolitemg/kg0.05
fludioxonil mg/kg0.02
flusilazole mg/kg0.05
HCB (hexachlorobenzene) mg/kg0.05
HCH (BHC)sum of isomers of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane other than lindane (gamma-HCH)mg/kg0.05
heptachlorsum of heptachlor and heptachlor expoxidemg/kg0.01
hexaconazole mg/kg0.05
hexythiazox mg/kg0.05
imazalil mg/kg0.05
indoxacarbsum of indoxacarb and its R-isomermg/kg0.05
iprodione mg/kg0.05
kresoxsim-methyl mg/kg0.05
lindane mg/kg0.05
linuronsum of linuron and 3,4- dichloroanilinemg/kg0.05
malathion (maldison) mg/kg0.05
metalaxyl mg/kg0.05
methamidophos mg/kg0.05
methidathion mg/kg0.01
methomyl mg/kg0.02
mevinphos mg/kg0.05
monocrotophos mg/kg0.05
myclobutanil mg/kg0.05
oxyfluorfen mg/kg0.05
paclobutrazol mg/kg0.01
parathion-ethyl mg/kg0.05
parathion-methyl mg/kg0.05
penconazole mg/kg0.05
pendimethalin mg/kg0.05
permethrinsum of isomersmg/kg0.05
phenothrinsum of (+)cis- and (+)trans-isomersmg/kg0.05
phoratesum of phorate, its oxygen analogue, and their sulfoxides and sulfonesmg/kg0.05
phosmetsum of phosmet and its oxygen analoguemg/kg0.05
piperonyl-butoxide mg/kg0.05
pirimicarbsum of pirimicarb, demethyl-pirimicarb, demethylformamido-pirimicarbmg/kg0.05
pirimiphos-methyl mg/kg0.05
procymidone mg/kg0.02
profenofos mg/kg0.05
propargite mg/kg0.05
propiconazole mg/kg0.05
prothiofos mg/kg0.05
pymetrozine mg/kg0.02
pyraclostrobin mg/kg0.05
pyrethrinssum of pyrethrins i and ii, cinerinsi i and ii and jasmolins i and iimg/kg0.1
pyrimethanil mg/kg0.05
pyriproxyfen mg/kg0.05
quintozene mg/kg0.05
spinosadsum of spinosyn A and spinosyn Dmg/kg0.02
spirotetramatsum of spirotetramat and cis-3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-onemg/kg0.02
tau-fluvalinatesum of isomersmg/kg0.05
tebuconazole mg/kg0.05
tebufenozide mg/kg0.05
tebufenpyrad mg/kg0.05
terbufossum of terbufos, its oxygen analogue, and their sulfoxides and sulfonesmg/kg0.05
tetradifon mg/kg0.05
thiabendazole mg/kg0.02
thiacloprid mg/kg0.05
thiamethoxam mg/kg0.02
triadimefonsum of triadimefon and triadmenolmg/kg0.05
triadimenol mg/kg0.05
trichlorfon mg/kg0.05
trifloxystrobinsum of trifloxystrobin and its acid metabolite ((E,E)-methoxyimino-[2-[1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-ethylideneaminooxymethyl]phenyl] acetic acid)mg/kg0.05
vinclozolin mg/kg0.05

Bacillus cereus – tofu
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
BCEREBacillus cereusNot permitted/
5 results
cfu/gEnumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 100
E.g.: <100, 1300, <100, 3000, <100
Coagulase–positive staphylococci – seafood
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
STAPHStaphylococciNot permitted/
5 results
cfu/gEnumerate result for each sample.
Report to at least 100
E.g.: <100, 1300, <100, 3000, <100
Cronobacter- powdered infant formula
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
CRONCronobacterIf not composited/
10 results
/10gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 10 samples.
E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND, ND, D, ND, ND, D
If composited/
1 result
/100gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample.
E.g.: ND
E. coli – bivalve molluscs, marinara mix
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
ECOLIE. coliNot permitted/
5 results
MPN/gEnumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 2.3
E.g.: <2.3, 45, <2.3, 45, <2.3

 

E. coli – dried berries and dried pomegranate arils
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
ECOLIE. coliNot permitted/
5 results
cfu/gEnumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 100 E.g.: <100, <100, 1500, 120, 500

 

E. coli – vegetables, beef and beef products
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
ECOLIE. coliNot permitted/
5 results
cfu/g  Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 10
E.g.: <10, <10, 10, 120, <10
Listeria monocytogenes – food in which growth can occur* (risk cheese, bivalve molluscs, cooked crustaceans, some meat products and some ready to eat finfish)
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
LISTListeria monocytogenesIf not composited/
5 results
/25gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 5 samples.
E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND
If composited/
1 result
/125gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample.
E.g.: ND

* According to the criteria for each food

Listeria monocytogenes – food in which growth will not occur* (surveillance cheese, some meat products, cooked crustaceans, some ready-to-eat heat treated bivalve molluscs and some ready to eat finfish)
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
LISTQListeria monocytogenesNot permitted/
5 results
cfu/gEnumerate result for each sample.
Report to at least 100.
E.g.: <100, 100, <100, <100, 200

* According to the criteria for each food

Salmonella – cheese, crustaceans, dried herbs, marinara mix, meat products, pepper, spices, sesame seeds, dried milk and products containing sesame
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
SALMSalmonellaIf not composited/
5 results
/25gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 5 samples.
E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND
If composited/
1 result
/125gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample.
E.g.: ND
Salmonella – coconut, powdered infant formula, follow-on formula
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
SALMSalmonellaIf not composited/
10 results
/25gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 10 samples.
E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND, ND, D, ND, ND, D
If composited/
1 result
/250gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample.
E.g.: ND
Shiga toxin – producing E. coli (STEC) – beef and beef products
Test CodeAnalyteComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
STECO26If not composited / 15 results for each analyte/25gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 15 samples.
E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND, ND, ND, ND, ND, ND, ND, ND, ND, ND, ND
O45
O103
O111If composited / 1 result for each analyte/375gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample. E.g.: ND
O121
O145
O157
Standard plate count – crustaceans
Test CodeAnalytesComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
SPCStandard Plate CountNot permitted/
5 results
cfu/gEnumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 1000
E.g.: <1000, <1000, 25000, <1000, 120000
Vibrio cholerae – crustaceans
Test CodeAnalytesComposite/No. of resultsUnitsLimit of reporting
VCHOLVibrio choleraeIf not composited/
5 results
/25gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 5 samples.
E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND
If composited/
1 result
/125gDetected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample.
E.g.: ND

Report the results

Refer to the details in the IFIR.

Use eResults to report the results to the AIMS system. This information will appear in the AIMS Test and Results Details screen.

Upload attachments as formatted XML.

We will use the results to determine if the food is a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’.

Imputing data into eResults

Test Code / Analytes: use the test code or the analyte name in its entirety when reporting to e-Results. Do not use any other abbreviation or code.

Composite / No. of results: this indicates where compositing is permitted and the number of results that must be entered into e-Results for each analyte.

Units: enter results using the units specified for each test. You may need to convert the results to the units specified.

Limit of reporting (LOR): for chemical testing, report any result less than the LOR as ‘<’ the specified figure.

For microbiological results, the LOR is not necessarily the same as the food standard for the test.

If we identify results not being reported correctly, we may request you to resubmit the results. We will note the non-compliance and consider it during your appointment review.

Read more

  • Appointed analysts
  • Conditions for appointment as an analyst

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Page last updated: 26 August 2024

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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