BS EN 15742:2020 - Animal Feeding Stuffs: Methods of Sampling and Analysis

Determination of OCPs by GC-ECD

The BS EN 15742:2020 is an essential standard for professionals in the field of animal nutrition and feed safety. This comprehensive document provides detailed methodologies for the sampling and analysis of animal feeding stuffs, specifically focusing on the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) using Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detection (GC-ECD).

Released on March 31, 2020, this standard is a critical resource for ensuring the safety and quality of animal feed. With the increasing global emphasis on food safety and environmental protection, the accurate detection and quantification of OCPs in animal feed are paramount. This standard provides the necessary guidelines to achieve these objectives effectively.

Key Features of BS EN 15742:2020

• Standard Number: BS EN 15742:2020
• Pages: 26
• ISBN: 978 0 580 96068 0
• Status: Standard

The document spans 26 pages, offering a thorough exploration of the methods used to detect OCPs in animal feed. The methodologies outlined in this standard are designed to be both precise and reliable, ensuring that feed producers and quality control laboratories can maintain high standards of safety and compliance.

Importance of Determining OCPs in Animal Feed

Organochlorine pesticides are a group of chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and potential to bioaccumulate in the food chain. These compounds can pose significant health risks to both animals and humans if present in animal feed. Therefore, the determination of OCPs is a crucial step in safeguarding animal health and ensuring the safety of animal-derived food products.

The use of Gas Chromatography with Electron Capture Detection (GC-ECD) is a well-established method for the analysis of OCPs. This technique is renowned for its sensitivity and specificity, making it an ideal choice for detecting trace levels of these compounds in complex feed matrices. The BS EN 15742:2020 standard provides detailed instructions on how to implement this method effectively, ensuring accurate and reproducible results.

Who Should Use This Standard?

This standard is indispensable for a wide range of professionals, including:

• Feed manufacturers and suppliers who need to ensure their products meet safety standards.
• Quality control laboratories responsible for testing animal feed for contaminants.
• Regulatory bodies overseeing the safety and quality of animal feed.
• Researchers and academics studying the impact of pesticides on animal health and food safety.

Benefits of Implementing BS EN 15742:2020

By adhering to the guidelines set forth in this standard, organizations can achieve several benefits:

• Enhanced Safety: Ensure that animal feed is free from harmful levels of OCPs, protecting animal health and the safety of the food supply chain.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meet national and international regulations regarding feed safety, avoiding potential legal and financial repercussions.
• Improved Quality Control: Implement robust testing procedures that enhance the overall quality and reliability of feed products.
• Consumer Confidence: Build trust with consumers by demonstrating a commitment to high safety and quality standards.

Conclusion

The BS EN 15742:2020 standard is a vital tool for anyone involved in the production, testing, or regulation of animal feed. By providing clear and precise methodologies for the determination of OCPs, this standard helps ensure the safety and quality of feed products, ultimately protecting animal health and the integrity of the food supply chain. Whether you are a feed manufacturer, a quality control specialist, or a regulatory authority, this standard is an invaluable resource for maintaining the highest standards of feed safety and compliance.

BS EN 15742:2020

This standard BS EN 15742:2020 Animal feeding stuffs: Methods of sampling and analysis. Determination of OCPs by GC-ECD is classified in these ICS categories:

• 65.120 Animal feeding stuffs

This document specifies a gas chromatographic method with electron capture detection (ECD) for the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in compound feeds and oil and fats.

The method is applicable to animal compound feed, oils and fats and fish meals with a water content up to about 20 % by weight and oil/fatty samples containing residues of one or more of the following OCPs, toxaphene and some of their isomers and degradation products:

• aldrin;

• dieldrin;

• dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) (the isomers 'op'-DDT', 'pp'-DDT', 'pp'-TDE' ('pp'-DDD'), and 'pp'-DDE');

• endosulfan (as the sum of ?-/?-isomers);

• endrin;

• hexachlorobenzene (HCB);

• hexachlorocyclohexane isomers ?-HCH (?-BHC), ?-HCH (?-BHC), ?-HCH (?-BHC or lindane);

For the following OCPs, the method is considered a screening method. Additional in-house validation is required for reporting validated data.

• chlordane (as the sum of chlordane isomers and oxychlordane);

• endosulfan-sulphate;

• delta-keto-endrin;

• heptachlor (as the sum of heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide);

• photo-heptachlor;

• cis- and trans-nonachlor.

A limit of quantification (LOQ) for the mentioned OCPs of 5 µg/kg is intended to be obtained. However, 10 µg/kg applies for heptachlor, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, and endosulfan (?-/?– and sulphate). Individual laboratories are responsible for ensuring that the equipment that they use, achieves these limits of quantifications. The LOQs apply to the individual OCPs.