Imported Food - Testing Guidelines - Department of Agriculture

During an inspection, authorised officers take representative samples of food for analysis. The sample may consist of a single unit per lot or multiple sub-samples per lot. The samples are placed in a tamper evident bag at the inspection and identified with an ‘IF’ number and barcode. Documents matching the sample and barcode are supplied to the laboratory with the bag.

Where compositing is permitted, as specified in the tables below, sub-samples of equal mass/volume are to be taken from each of the original samples submitted to form the composite sample for analysis.

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 in the tables below. Where required, results must be converted to the units specified prior to reporting.

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

For microbiological results examples of reporting are provided in the tables below. Note: the LOR is not necessarily the same as the food standard for the test.

Where authorised officers identify results not being reported in accordance with these requirements, analysts may be requested to re-submit the results. The non-compliance will also be noted and be considered in any review of the appointment of an analyst.

The department applies a range of standards to food tested under the scheme. The types of food tested and the references to the standards are published as follows:

Failing results will trigger the requirements in the conditions of appointment for confirmatory testing to be undertaken before reporting the result to the department.

Adulteration of honey with C4 sugars
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
ADULTHNY	Adulteration with C4 sugars	Not required/ 1 result	%	Not applicable

Aflatoxin
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
AFLAT	Aflatoxin	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	0.004

Arsenic (total)
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
ARSENICT	Arsenic (total)	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	1

Cannabidiol
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/ No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
CANNA	Cannabidiol	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	0.5

Carbon monoxide
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/ No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
CO	Carbon monoxide	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	0.2

Cephalosporins
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
CEPHALO	Ceftiofur	Permitted/1 result	mg/kg	0.1

Domoic acid
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
DOMOIC	Domoic acid	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	2

Erucic acid
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
ERUCIC	Erucic acid	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	2000

Ethylene chlorohydrin
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
ETHYCHL	Ethylene chlorohydrin	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	5

Fluoroquinolones
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
FLUORO	Ciprofloxacin	Permitted / 1 result for each of the chemicals listed	mg/kg	0.002
	Enrofloxacin
	Gatifloxacin
	Levofloxacin
	Moxifloxacin
	Norfloxacin
	Ofloxacin
	Sarafloxacin

Histamine
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
HISTA	Histamine	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	20

Hydrocyanic acid
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
HCN	Hydrocyanic acid	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	1

Inorganic arsenic
Note: report ‘at 85% hydration’ in the ‘test methods’ field
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
INORG	Inorganic arsenic	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg at 85% hydration	0.1

Iodine
Note: report ‘dry weight’ in the ‘test methods’ field
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
IODINE	Iodine	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg dry weight	0.1

Lead
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
LEAD	Lead	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	0.1

Malachite green
Test Code	Analytes	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
MALAG	Malachite green	Permitted /1 result for each of the chemicals listed	mg/kg	0.002
MALAG	Leuco–malachite green	Permitted /1 result for each of the chemicals listed	mg/kg	0.002

Moisture content
Test Code	Analytes	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
MOISTHNY	Moisture content	Not required/ 1 result	%	Not applicable

Nitrofurans
Test Code	Analytes	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
NITROFU	Furazolidone (AOZ)	Permitted / 1 result for each of the chemicals listed	mg/kg	0.001
	Furaltadone (AMOZ)		mg/kg	0.001
	Nitrofurantoine (AHD)		mg/kg	0.001
	Nitrofurazone (SEM)		mg/kg	0.001

Paralytic shellfish poison
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
PSP	Paralytic shellfish poison	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	0.8

Quinolones
Test Code	Analytes	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
QUINO	Flumequine	Permitted 1 result for each of the chemicals listed	mg/kg	0.002
QUINO	Oxolinic acid	Permitted 1 result for each of the chemicals listed	mg/kg	0.002

Reducing sugars content
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
SUGARHNY	Reducing sugars content	Not required/ 1 result	%	Not applicable

Streptomycin
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
STREP	Streptomycin	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	0.026

Sulphonamides
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
SULPHA	Sulphonamides	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	0.1

Tetracycline
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
TETRACY	Chlortetracycline	Permitted / 1 result for each of the chemicals listed	mg/kg	0.025
	Doxycycline
	Oxytetracycline
	Tetracycline

Total THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
THC	Total THC	Permitted / 1 result	mg/kg	0.5

Virginiamycin
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
VIRGN	Virginiamycin	Permitted/ 1 result	mg/kg	0.1

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 reported	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
Beta-lactoglobulin	Not permitted/1 result for liquid and 5 results for powder	ppm	0.1
Casein (expressed as skim milk powder)	Not permitted/1 result for liquid and 5 results for powder	ppm	1.0
Total milk (expressed as non-fat dried milk)	Not permitted/1 result for liquid and 5 results for powder	ppm	2.5

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 following table.

Analysis to be reported	Units	Results of analysis
All residues <LOR	mg/kg	< LOR
All-analytes	mg/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 reported	Units	Results of analysis
Residues <LOR except	mg/kg	< LOR
<<analyte>>	mg/kg	<<result>> MU<<result>>
e.g. bifenthrin	mg/kg	0.16 MU 0.02

Test code: FVRES

Analytes to be reported	FSC 1.4.2 Residue definition	Units	Limit of reporting
2-phenylphenol	sum of 2-phenylphenol and 2-phenylphenate	mg/kg	0.05
acephate		mg/kg	0.05
aldrin and dieldrin	sum of HHDN and HEOD	mg/kg	0.05
azinphos-methyl		mg/kg	0.05
azoxystrobin		mg/kg	0.05
benalaxyl		mg/kg	0.05
bifenthrin		mg/kg	0.01
bioresmethrin		mg/kg	0.05
bitertanol		mg/kg	0.05
boscalid		mg/kg	0.05
captan		mg/kg	0.05
carbaryl		mg/kg	0.1
carbendazim	sum of carbendazim and 2-aminobenzimidazole	mg/kg	0.05
chlorfenvinphos	sum of E and Z isomers	mg/kg	0.05
chlorothalonil		mg/kg	0.05
chlorpyrifos		mg/kg	0.01
chlorpyrifos-methyl		mg/kg	0.05
chlorthal-dimethyl		mg/kg	0.05
cyfluthrin	sum of isomers	mg/kg	0.05
cyhalothrin	sum of isomers	mg/kg	0.01
cypermethrin	sum of isomers	mg/kg	0.05
cyproconazole	sum of isomers	mg/kg	0.05
cyprodinil		mg/kg	0.05
DDT	sum of p,p DDT; o,p DDT; p,p DDE and p,p DDD	mg/kg	0.05
deltamethrin		mg/kg	0.05
diazinon		mg/kg	0.05
dichlorvos		mg/kg	0.05
dicloran		mg/kg	0.05
dicofol	sum of dicofol and 2,2,2-trichloro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethanol	mg/kg	0.1
difenoconazole		mg/kg	0.05
dimethoate	sum of dimethoate and omethoate	mg/kg	0.02
dimethomorph	sum of E and Z isomers	mg/kg	0.05
diphenylamine		mg/kg	0.05
disulfoton	sum of disulfoton and demeton-S and their sulfoxides and sulfones	mg/kg	0.05
diuron	sum of diuron and 3,4- dichloroaniline	mg/kg	0.05
endosulfan	sum of A- and B- endosulfan and endosulfan sulphate	mg/kg	0.05
endrin		mg/kg	0.05
ethoprofos		mg/kg	0.05
fenamiphos	sum of fenamiphos, its sulfoxide and sulfone	mg/kg	0.05
fenarimol		mg/kg	0.05
fenhexamid		mg/kg	0.02
fenitrothion		mg/kg	0.01
fenoxycarb		mg/kg	0.05
fenpyroximate		mg/kg	0.05
fenthion	sum of fenthion, its oxygen analogue, and their sulfoxides and sulfones	mg/kg	0.05
fenvalerate	sum of isomers	mg/kg	0.05
fipronil	sum of fipronil, the sulphenyl metabolite, the sulphonyl metabolite and the trifluoromethyl metabolite	mg/kg	0.05
fludioxonil		mg/kg	0.02
flusilazole		mg/kg	0.05
HCB (hexachlorobenzene)		mg/kg	0.05
HCH (BHC)	sum of isomers of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane other than lindane (gamma-HCH)	mg/kg	0.05
heptachlor	sum of heptachlor and heptachlor expoxide	mg/kg	0.01
hexaconazole		mg/kg	0.05
hexythiazox		mg/kg	0.05
imazalil		mg/kg	0.05
indoxacarb	sum of indoxacarb and its R-isomer	mg/kg	0.05
iprodione		mg/kg	0.05
kresoxsim-methyl		mg/kg	0.05
lindane		mg/kg	0.05
linuron	sum of linuron and 3,4- dichloroaniline	mg/kg	0.05
malathion (maldison)		mg/kg	0.05
metalaxyl		mg/kg	0.05
methamidophos		mg/kg	0.05
methidathion		mg/kg	0.01
methomyl		mg/kg	0.02
mevinphos		mg/kg	0.05
monocrotophos		mg/kg	0.05
myclobutanil		mg/kg	0.05
oxyfluorfen		mg/kg	0.05
paclobutrazol		mg/kg	0.01
parathion-ethyl		mg/kg	0.05
parathion-methyl		mg/kg	0.05
penconazole		mg/kg	0.05
pendimethalin		mg/kg	0.05
permethrin	sum of isomers	mg/kg	0.05
phenothrin	sum of (+)cis- and (+)trans-isomers	mg/kg	0.05
phorate	sum of phorate, its oxygen analogue, and their sulfoxides and sulfones	mg/kg	0.05
phosmet	sum of phosmet and its oxygen analogue	mg/kg	0.05
piperonyl-butoxide		mg/kg	0.05
pirimicarb	sum of pirimicarb, demethyl-pirimicarb, demethylformamido-pirimicarb	mg/kg	0.05
pirimiphos-methyl		mg/kg	0.05
procymidone		mg/kg	0.02
profenofos		mg/kg	0.05
propargite		mg/kg	0.05
propiconazole		mg/kg	0.05
prothiofos		mg/kg	0.05
pymetrozine		mg/kg	0.02
pyraclostrobin		mg/kg	0.05
pyrethrins	sum of pyrethrins i and ii, cinerinsi i and ii and jasmolins i and ii	mg/kg	0.1
pyrimethanil		mg/kg	0.05
pyriproxyfen		mg/kg	0.05
quintozene		mg/kg	0.05
spinosad	sum of spinosyn A and spinosyn D	mg/kg	0.02
spirotetramat	sum of spirotetramat and cis-3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-one	mg/kg	0.02
tau-fluvalinate	sum of isomers	mg/kg	0.05
tebuconazole		mg/kg	0.05
tebufenozide		mg/kg	0.05
tebufenpyrad		mg/kg	0.05
terbufos	sum of terbufos, its oxygen analogue, and their sulfoxides and sulfones	mg/kg	0.05
tetradifon		mg/kg	0.05
thiabendazole		mg/kg	0.02
thiacloprid		mg/kg	0.05
thiamethoxam		mg/kg	0.02
triadimefon	sum of triadimefon and triadmenol	mg/kg	0.05
triadimenol		mg/kg	0.05
trichlorfon		mg/kg	0.05
trifloxystrobin	sum of trifloxystrobin and its acid metabolite ((E,E)-methoxyimino-[2-[1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-ethylideneaminooxymethyl]phenyl] acetic acid)	mg/kg	0.05
vinclozolin		mg/kg	0.05

*Bacillus cereus* – tofu
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
BCERE	Bacillus cereus	Not permitted/ 5 results	cfu/g	Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 100 E.g.: <100, 1300, <100, 3000, <100

Coagulase–positive staphylococci – seafood
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
STAPH	Staphylococci	Not permitted/ 5 results	cfu/g	Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 100 E.g.: <100, 1300, <100, 3000, <100

*E. coli* – bivalve molluscs, marinara mix
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
ECOLI	E. coli	Not permitted/ 5 results	MPN/g	Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 2.3 E.g.: <2.3, 45, <2.3, 45, <2.3
ECOLI	Presumptive E. coli	Not permitted/ 5 results	MPN/g	Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 2.3 E.g.: <2.3, <2.3, 7.5, 9.3, <2.3

*E. coli* – cheese, fruit, vegetables, beef and beef products
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
ECOLI	E. coli	Not permitted/ 5 results	cfu/g	Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 10 E.g.: <10, <10, 10, 120, <10
ECOLI	E. coli	Not permitted/ 5 results	MPN/g	Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 10 E.g.: <10, <10, 10, 120, <10

*E. coli* – dried fruit/vegetables
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
ECOLI	E. coli	Not permitted/ 5 results	cfu/g	Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 100 E.g.: <100, <100, 1500, 120, 500

*Listeria monocytogenes* – food in which growth can occur* (risk cheese, bivalve molluscs, cooked crustaceans, some meat products and some ready to eat finfish)
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
LIST	Listeria monocytogenes	If not composited/ 5 results	/25g	Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 5 samples. E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND
LIST	Listeria monocytogenes	If composited/ 1 result	/125g	Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample. E.g.: ND

* According to the criteria on www.agriculture.gov.au 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 Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
LISTQ	Listeria monocytogenes	Not permitted/ 5 results	cfu/g	Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 100. E.g.: <100, 100, <100, <100, 200

* According to the criteria on www.agriculture.gov.au for each food

*Salmonella* – cheese, crustaceans, marinara mix, meat products, pepper, spices, sesame seeds, dried milk and products containing sesame
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
SALM	Salmonella	If not composited/ 5 results	/25g	Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 5 samples. E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND
SALM	Salmonella	If composited/ 1 result	/125g	Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample. E.g.: ND

*Salmonella* – coconut, powdered infant formula, dried herbs
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
SALM	Salmonella	If not composited/ 10 results	/25g	Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 10 samples. E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND, ND, D, ND, ND, D
SALM	Salmonella	If composited/ 1 result	/250g	Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample. E.g.: ND

Shiga toxin – producing *E. coli* (STEC) – beef and beef products
Test Code	Analyte	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
STEC	026	Not permitted/ 15 results	cfu/g	Detected ‘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 * currently no laboratory capability
	045
	0103
	0111
	0121
	0145
	0157
	0104*

Standard plate count – crustaceans
Test Code	Analytes	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
SPC	Standard Plate Count	Not permitted/ 5 results	cfu/g	Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 1000 E.g.: <1000, <1000, 25000, <1000, 120000

*Vibrio cholerae* – crustaceans
Test Code	Analytes	Composite/No. of results	Units	Limit of reporting
VCHOL	Vibrio cholerae	If not composited/ 5 results	/25g	Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in each of the 5 samples. E.g.: ND, ND, ND, D, ND
VCHOL	Vibrio cholerae	If composited/ 1 result	/125g	Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample. E.g.: ND

Coronavirus (COVID-19) response

Imported Food - Testing Guidelines

Purpose of these guidelines

Scope of this document

[expand all]

Samples for testing

Compositing of sub-samples

Reporting to e–Results

Food standards that apply to food under the scheme

Chemical analysis

Allergen - dairy milk

Fruit and vegetable residue screen

Microbiological analysis