Establishment of proficiency testing programs in the Philippines

Abstract

In order to improve the competitiveness of Philippine food products in the global market, the Department of Science and Technology—Food and Nutrition Research Institute initiated proficiency testing (PT) programs on some nutrition labeling components using food matrices commonly exported by the country. The institute realized the need to organize affordable, accessible and reliable PTs designed to address the needs of the local testing laboratories. FNRI organized several PT rounds on different food matrices for the analyses of proximates, minerals, total dietary fiber, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and vitamin C. More than 20 laboratories (government and private) participated in these PT programs, which helped them obtain/sustain their accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005. In February 2013, the Proficiency Testing Laboratory (PTL) was accredited to ISO/IEC 17043:2010 by the Thailand Bureau of Laboratory Accreditation. This strengthened its credibility by being recognized as the first accredited PT provider in the Philippines. Initially, the scope of the accredited PTs included the analysis of proximates and minerals in infant formula. It was extended to include five different food matrices (infant formula, milk powder, wheat flour, corn-based snack food and powdered concentrate-water-based flavored drinks) for nutrition labeling parameters. The PTL continuously organizes new PT rounds to expand its scope of accreditation.