Ten years of proficiency testing reveals an improvement in the analytical performance of EU National Reference Laboratories for genetically modified food and feed

Abstract

National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) in the Member States of the European Union (EU) monitor the implementation of the EU legislation on the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed. The EU Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (EURL GMFF) supports the harmonisation of measurement procedures and the improvement of the analytical performance of these laboratories, among others through the organisation of a proficiency testing (PT) scheme. The PT results reported over 10 years have been analysed using common criteria applied to the reported data. The outcome revealed a gradual decrease of the relative standard deviation within the sets of the reported data with time. The extent of the deviation of the results from the assigned value also diminished between 2010 and 2019. The average deviation from the assigned value was independent of the GM content in the later PT rounds but it was affected by the complexity of the test item matrix. Performance scores were calculated for all results reported by the 62 NRLs. The number of unsatisfactory performance scores obtained decreased with time. The trends observed indicate an improvement in the analytical performance and an increased harmonisation of GMO testing within the EU enforcement laboratories.