GEMS/Food Instructions for Electronic Submission of Data on ...

2.2.22 Field No. 22: Remarks/References
1 <strong>Data</strong> are confidential. Specific permission must be obtained
be<strong>for</strong>e using the data <strong>for</strong> the purposes <strong>of</strong> the <strong>GEMS</strong>/<strong>Food</strong>
Programme.
Field size: AN250 (up to 250 alphanumeric characters)
Field contents: This field is used <strong>for</strong> noting remarks and/or references relevant to the
data represented.
2.3 Worked Examples
2.3.1 Example 1
This is a hypothetical example. <strong>Data</strong> to be submitted was generated by a laboratory under
contract to the New Zealand WHO Collaborating Centre <strong>for</strong> <strong>Food</strong> Contamination Monitoring.
Sampling was carried out between April 1997 and December 1997, and the record is being
prepared on 2 November 1998. Samples <strong>of</strong> dried figs were analysed as received <strong>for</strong> their
cadmium content. The samples were <strong>of</strong> domestic origin and represent the supply <strong>of</strong> dried figs
to the whole country. Analytical results are to be expressed on an “as is” basis. A total <strong>of</strong> 100
samples were analysed by a single laboratory, with an analytical limit <strong>of</strong> detection (LOD) <strong>of</strong>
0.0005 mg/kg. The laboratory does not use a separate limit <strong>of</strong> quantification and reports
quantitatively all results at or above the LOD. Of the 100 samples, 5 were below the limit <strong>of</strong>
detection. The best statistical estimates (using results below the LOD with values equal to
LOD/2) <strong>for</strong> the median, mean, 90 th percentile and standard deviation values were 0.024, 0.032,
0.125 and 0.1 mg/kg respectively. The range <strong>of</strong> quantified analytical results was from 0.002 to
0.483 mg/kg. Internationally recognized certified reference materials and internal quality
control standards were used as quality control procedures. However, the laboratory does not
have <strong>for</strong>mal accreditation <strong>for</strong> cadmium testing. The data are freely available in the public
domain.
The following string, using a comma-delimited <strong>for</strong>mat would represent this in<strong>for</strong>mation:
01980001,2-NOV-98,NEZ,DF297,NEZ,04/1997-12/1997,SW,1,SP,012,1,.0005,.0005,
.0005,.0005,A,100,5,.002,.483,.032,.032,.032,.024,.125,.1,0,LOQ was equal to the LOD
The following spreadsheet would represent this in<strong>for</strong>mation according to the template supplied
with this document:
Serial No Date <strong>of</strong> rec. Country <strong>Food</strong> id. <strong>Food</strong> orig. Time sampl
1980001 2-Nov-98 NEZ DF297 NEZ 04/1997-12/1997
Represen. No. <strong>of</strong> labs QA Cont id. Unit LOD min
SW 1 SP 012 1 0.0005
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