Dioxin analysis in food and feed

GC–MS/MS methods for dioxins analysis
An overview of how methods are being developed by the EU-China-Safe project and focus on the particular benefits of the TSQ 9000 and AEI technology for dioxin analysis

The EU-China-Safe project is a jointly funded EU/Chinese project that aims to deliver a shared vision for food safety and authenticity based on “mutual recognition” in food standards, testing and certification. Partners in China and Europe identified that validating GC–MS/MS methods for dioxins analysis is as an economic option to build value for money testing capacity. As part of the EU-China-Safe project, Fera Science Limited (Fera) performed analysis of PCDDs, PCDFs, and dl-PCBs in food using a preconfigured Thermo Scientific TSQ 9000 triple quadrupole GC–MS/MS system equipped with the new Advanced Electron Ionization (AEI) source. An important aspect of the collaboration was the development of an EU-China Joint Laboratory Network, which conducted a study using shared data systems to enable cooperative development of a method to demonstrate equivalency with traditional HRMS. Study results obtained from proficiency test (PT) and quality control (QC) samples were within the expected concentration ranges. These findings demonstrate that the limit of quantification (LOQ) complied to one-fifth maximum levels, and that the analytical method demonstrated the sensitivity, selectivity, and robustness required to satisfy current EU regulations 644/2017 and 771/2017.