# Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 of 28 March 2007 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the control of the levels of trace elements and processing contaminants in foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance), Division C.3.3.1: Performance criteria

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

Where no specific methods for the determination of contaminants in foodstuffs are prescribed ..., laboratories may select any validated method of analysis for the respective matrix provided that the selected method meets the specific performance criteria set out in Tables 5, 6 and 7.
It is recommended that fully validated methods (i.e. methods validated by collaborative trial for the respective matrix) are used where appropriate and available. Other suitable validated methods (e.g. in-house validated methods for the respective matrix) may also be used provided that they fulfil the performance criteria set out in Tables 5, 6 and 7.
Where possible, the validation of in-house validated methods shall include a certified reference material.
(a)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin and inorganic arsenic
Table 5
Parameter
Criterion
Applicability
Foods specified in Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Specificity
Free from matrix or spectral interferences
Repeatability (RSD r )
HORRAT r less than 2
Reproducibility (RSD R )
HORRAT R less than 2
Recovery
The provisions of point D.1.2 apply
LOD
= three tenths of LOQ
LOQ
Inorganic tin
≤ 10 mg/kg
Lead
ML ≤ 0,01 mg/kg
0,01 < ML ≤ 0,02 mg/kg
0,02 < ML < 0,1 mg/kg
ML ≥ 0,1 mg/kg
≤ ML
≤ two thirds of the ML
≤ two fifths of the ML
≤ one fifth of the ML
Cadmium, mercury, inorganic arsenic
ML is < 0,100 mg/kg
ML is ≥ 0,100 mg/kg
≤ two fifths of the ML
≤ one fifth of the ML
(b)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters:
Performance criteria for methods of analysis for 3-MCPD in foods specified in point 4.1 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Table 6a
Parameter
Criterion
Applicability
Foods specified in point 4.1 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Specificity
Free from matrix or spectral interferences
Field blanks
Less than LOD
Repeatability (RSD r )
0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Reproducibility (RSD R )
as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Recovery
75-110 %
Limit of Detection (LOD)
≤ 5 μg/kg (on dry matter basis)
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
≤ 10 μg/kg (on dry matter basis)
Performance criteria for methods of analysis for 3-MCPD in foods specified in point 4.3 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Table 6b
Parameter
Criterion
Applicability
Foods specified in point 4.3 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Specificity
Free from matrix or spectral interferences
Field blanks
Less than LOD
Repeatability (RSD r )
0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Reproducibility (RSD R )
as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Recovery
75-110 %
Limit of Detection (LOD)
≤ 7 μg/kg
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
≤ 14 μg/kg
Performance criteria for methods of analysis for 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, expressed as 3-MCPD , in foods specified in point 4.3 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Table 6c
Parameter
Criterion
Applicability
Foods specified in point 4.3 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Specificity
Free from matrix or spectral interferences
Repeatability (RSD r )
0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Reproducibility (RSD R )
as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Recovery
70-125 %
Limit of Detection (LOD)
Three tenths of LOQ
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
for foods specified in 4.3.1 and 4.3.2
≤ 100 μg/kg in oils and fats
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
for foods specified in 4.3.3 and in 4.3.4 with a fat content < 40 %
≤ two fifths of the ML
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
for foods specified in 4.3.4 with a fat content ≥ 40 %
≤ 15 μg/kg fat
Performance criteria for methods of analysis for glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol, in foods specified in point 4.2 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Table 6d
Parameter
Criterion
Applicability
Foods specified in point 4.2 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Specificity
Free from matrix or spectral interferences
Repeatability (RSD r )
0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Reproducibility (RSD R )
as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Recovery
70-125 %
Limit of Detection (LOD)
Three tenths of LOQ
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
for foods specified in 4.2.1 and 4.2.2
≤ 100 μg/kg in oils and fats
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
for foods specified in 4.2.3 with a fat content < 65 % and in 4.2.4 with a fat content < 8 %
≤ two fifths of the ML
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
for foods specified in 4.2.3 with a fat content ≥ 65 % and in 4.2.4 with a fat content ≥ 8 %
≤ 31 μg/kg fat
(c)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons:
The four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to which these criteria apply are benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and chrysene.
Table 7
Parameter
Criterion
Applicability
Foods specified in Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006
Specificity
Free from matrix or spectral interferences, verification of positive detection
Repeatability (RSD r )
HORRAT r less than 2
Reproducibility (RSD R )
HORRAT R less than 2
Recovery
50-120 %
LOD
≤ 0,30 μg/kg for each of the four substances
LOQ
≤ 0,90 μg/kg for each of the four substances
(d)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for acrylamide:
Table 8
Parameter
Criterion
Applicability
All foods
Specificity
Free from matrix or spectral interferences
Field blanks
Less than Limit of Detection (LOD)
Repeatability (RSD r )
0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Reproducibility (RSD R )
as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Recovery
75-110 %
Limit of Detection (LOD)
Three tenths of LOQ
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
For foods with benchmark levels < 125 μg/kg: ≤ two fifths of the benchmark level, however not required to be lower than 20 μg/kg
For foods with benchmark level ≥ 125 μg/kg: ≤ 50 μg/kg
(e)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for perchlorate:
Table 9
Parameter
Criterion
Applicability
All foods
Specificity
Free from matrix or spectral interferences
Repeatability (RSD r )
0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Reproducibility (RSD R )
as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation
Recovery
70-110 %
Limit of Detection (LOD)
Three tenths of LOQ
Limit of Quantification (LOQ)
≤ two fifths of the ML
(f)Notes to the performance criteria:
The Horwitz equation (for concentrations 1,2 x 10 -7 ≤ C ≤ 0,138) and the modified Horwitz equation (for concentrations C < 1,2 × 10 -7 ) are generalised precision equations which are independent of analyte and matrix but solely dependent on concentration for most routine methods of analysis.
Modified Horwitz equation for concentrations C < 1,2 × 10 -7 :
RSD R = 22 %
where:
RSD R is the relative standard deviation calculated from results generated under reproducibility conditions
C is the concentration ratio (i.e. 1 = 100g/100g, 0,001 = 1 000 mg/kg). The modified Horwitz equation applies to concentrations C < 1,2 × 10 -7 .
Horwitz equation for concentrations 1,2 x 10 -7 ≤ C ≤ 0,138:
RSD R = 2C (- 0,15 )
where:
RSD R is the relative standard deviation calculated from results generated under reproducibility conditions
C is the concentration ratio (i.e. 1 = 100g/100g, 0,001 = 1 000 mg/kg). The Horwitz equation applies to concentrations 1,2 x 10 -7 ≤ C ≤ 0,138.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2007/333/annex/part/C/division/C.3/division/C.3.3/division/C.3.3.1 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2007-333/annex/part-C/division-C.3/division-C.3.3/division-C.3.3.1
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.