Imported Food - Testing Guidelines
25 March 2019
Purpose of these guidelines
These guidelines provide information for appointed analysts on requirements for analysis of food sampled by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (the scheme).
Scope of this document
This document will provide:
- notice of the units of measurement that are required for results reported to the department
- the minimum performance required of any testing methodology (limit of reporting)
- assistance in meeting requirements for reporting the results of analysis.
The department does not specify the test methods to be used.
Appointed analysts must comply with the requirements specified in the ‘Conditions for appointment as an analyst’, including requirements for confirmatory testing: Food testing requirements for appointed analysts.
[expand all]
Samples for testing
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.
Compositing of sub-samples
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.
Reporting to e–Results
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.
Food standards that apply to food under the scheme
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.
Chemical analysis
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADULTHNY | Adulteration with C4 sugars | Not required/ 1 result | % | Not applicable |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFLAT | Aflatoxin | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 0.004 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARSENICT | Arsenic (total) | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 1 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/ No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CANNA | Cannabidiol | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 0.5 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/ No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO | Carbon monoxide | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 0.2 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEPHALO | Ceftiofur | Permitted/1 result | mg/kg | 0.1 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOMOIC | Domoic acid | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 2 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERUCIC | Erucic acid | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 2000 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETHYCHL | Ethylene chlorohydrin | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 5 |
| 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 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HISTA | Histamine | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 20 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCN | Hydrocyanic acid | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 1 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INORG | Inorganic arsenic | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 0.1 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IODINE | Iodine | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg dry weight | 0.1 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEAD | Lead | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 0.1 |
| 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 |
| Leuco–malachite green |
| Test Code | Analytes | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOISTHNY | Moisture content | Not required/ 1 result | % | Not applicable |
| 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 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSP | Paralytic shellfish poison | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 0.8 |
| 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 |
| Oxolinic acid |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUGARHNY | Reducing sugars content | Not required/ 1 result | % | Not applicable |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STREP | Streptomycin | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 0.026 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SULPHA | Sulphonamides | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 0.1 |
| 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 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THC | Total THC | Permitted / 1 result | mg/kg | 0.5 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIN | Tin | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 1 |
| Test Code | Analyte | Composite/No. of results | Units | Limit of reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIRGN | Virginiamycin | Permitted/ 1 result | mg/kg | 0.1 |
Allergen - dairy milk
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
| 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 |
Fruit and vegetable residue screen
Portion of the commodity prepared for testing must be per the Food Standards Code Section 1.4.2, Volume 4 (see statements in this volume 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. Report to one significant figure.
| Analysis to be reported | Units | Results of analysis |
|---|---|---|
Residues <LOR except | mg/kg | < LOR |
<<analyte>> | mg/kg | <<result>> |
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 |
Microbiological analysis
| 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 Eg: <100, 1300, <100, 3000, <100 |
| 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 Eg: <100, 1300, <100, 3000, <100 |
| 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 Eg: <2.3, 45, <2.3, 45, <2.3 |
| Presumptive E. coli | Not permitted/ 5 results | MPN/g | Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 2.3 Eg: <2.3, <2.3, 7.5, 9.3, <2.3 |
| 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 Eg: <10, <10, 10, 120, <10 |
| Not permitted/ 5 results | MPN/g | Enumerate result for each sample. Report to at least 10 Eg: <10, <10, 10, 120, <10 |
| 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 Eg: <100, <100, 1500, 120, 500 |
| 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. Eg: ND, ND, ND, D, ND |
| If composited/ 1 result | /125g | Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample. Eg: ND |
| 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. Eg: <100, 100, <100, <100, 200 |
* According to the criteria on www.agriculture.gov.au for each food
| 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. Eg: ND, ND, ND, D, ND |
| If composited/ 1 result | /125g | Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample. Eg: ND |
| 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. Eg: ND, ND, ND, D, ND, ND, D, ND, ND, D |
| If composited/ 1 result | /250g | Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample. Eg: ND |
| 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. |
| 045 | ||||
| 0103 | ||||
| 0111 | ||||
| 0121 | ||||
| 0145 | ||||
| 0157 | ||||
| 0104* |
| 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 Eg: <1000, <1000, 25000, <1000, 120000 |
| 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. Eg: ND, ND, ND, D, ND |
| If composited/ 1 result | /125g | Detected ‘D’ or Not Detected ‘ND’ in the composite sample. Eg: ND |