In the European Union, the use of nitrofurans and their metabolites is prohibited in food of animal origin. Therefore, the European Commission established Reference Point of Action (RPA) values in food, which were amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/411 of 23 February 2023 (see table below):
As can be seen, there are five nitrofuran metabolites to be analysed to comply with European legislation: AMOZ, AOZ, AHD, SEM and DNSH.
In order to enable laboratories to perform a more thorough check on their analytical performance, Test Veritas decided to improve and expand the PT offering for nitrofuran metabolites as early as 2024:
–More molecules under study: For all PTs for metabolites of nitrofurans, DNSH was added to the list of molecules. Thus, all molecules regulated by the European Commission Regulation are on the list of molecules under study.
-Guaranteed presence of ALL molecules under study: For 2 of the PTs proposed in 2025 for nitrofuran metabolites, ALL MOLECULES UNDER STUDY (AMOZ, AOZ, AHD, SEM and DNSH) WILL BE PRESENT. This proposal concerns PTs for the detection of nitrofuran metabolites in casings (M5410) and honey (H5512).
–Guaranteed presence of DNSH: For 4 of the PTs proposed in 2025 for nitrofuran metabolites. This proposal concerns PTs for nitrofuran metabolites in casings (M5410), honey (H5512), muscle (M5104) and shrimps (SF5105).
–Matrices of interest: For 2025, Test Veritas proposes PTs for the detection of nitrofuran metabolites in different matrices:
- Gut (M5410): in 2023, there were RASFF notifications for the presence of SEM in salted sheep intestine and pig intestine from China. Furthermore, after the large number of registrations for the PT in 2024, Test Veritas decided to renew the possibility to register for this PT in 2025 as well.
- Honey (H5512): in 2022, there were RASFF notifications for the presence of AOZ in bee feed. Again, it was decided to re-submit this PT due to the request from some customers.
- Swine muscle (M5104): Test Veritas has offered this PT every year since 2019, with the first proposal in 2016. This PT welcomes many participants from all over the world every year.
- Eggs (E5106): Test Veritas has been offering this PT cyclically since 2014.
- Shrimp (SF5105): over the last year, there have been several RASFF notifications for the presence of AOZ in frozen shrimp from India. It was therefore decided to re-submit this PT because of the market need.
OUR PROPOSALS FOR 2025
PT NITROFURAN METABOLITES IN MUSCLE (code M5104)
Round of March 2025
- Ordering deadline: January 31st 2025
- Shipment date: March 10th 2025
- Quantity: 20g x 2 Test Materials (for confirmatory methods) or 10g x 2 Test Materials (for screening methods)
- Molecules under study: AMOZ, AOZ, AHD, SEM and DNSH – THE PRESENCE OF DNSH IS GUARANTEED!
- Indicative concentrations: < 3ppb
PT FOR NITROFURAN METABOLITES IN EGGS (code E5106)
Round of March 2025
- Ordering deadline: January 31st 2025
- Shipment date: March 10th 2025
- Quantity: 30g (for confirmatory methods) or 15g (for screening methods)
- Molecules under study: AMOZ, AOZ, AHD, SEM and DNSH
- Indicative concentrations: < 3ppb
PT FOR NITROFURAN METABOLITES IN SHRIMPS
(code SF5105) – Round of March 2025
- Ordering deadline: January 31st 2025
- Shipment date: March 10th 2025
- Quantity: 20g (for confirmatory methods) or 10g (for screening methods)
- Molecules under study: AMOZ, AOZ, AHD, SEM and DNSH – THE PRESENCE OF DNSH IS GUARANTEED!
- Indicative concentrations: < 3ppb
PT FOR NITROFURAN METABOLITES IN GUT (code M5410)
Round of September 2025
- Ordering deadline: August 1st 2025
- Shipment date: September 15th 2025
- Quantity: 20g (for confirmatory methods) or 10g (for screening methods)
- Molecules under study: AMOZ, AOZ, AHD, SEM and DNSH – ALL THE MOLECULES WILL BE PRESENT!
- Indicative concentrations: 0,25 – 1,25ppb
PT FOR NITROFURAN METABOLITES IN HONEY (code H5512)
Round of November 2025
- Ordering deadline: October 3rd 2025
- Shipment date: November 17th 2025
- Quantity: 30g (for confirmatory methods) or 15g (for screening methods)
- Molecules under study: AMOZ, AOZ, AHD, SEM and DNSH – ALL THE MOLECULES WILL BE PRESENT!
- Indicative concentrations: < 2ppb
OUR STRENGTHS FOR THESE PTS
- Separate evaluation of results for screening and confirmation methods, with the assigned value derived only from the quantitative confirmation results. This feature of our PTs fulfils the requirement of UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010 to use evaluation methods that are fit for purpose, thus making the assigned value more reliable and the evaluation more valid.
- Even if you are evaluating a screening method, PT simulates what you would do in your routine (comparing your results with confirmatory results). Semi-quantitative (< or >) and qualitative results from screening methods are evaluated with dedicated criteria. Quantitative screening and confirmation results are evaluated with z-scores.
- Even more reliable assigned value thanks to the high stability of our Test Materials, which are supplied as lyophilized (to be analysed after reconstitution) so that their stability is guaranteed even during long transports. In this way, every participant, regardless of their country of origin, can be sure to receive the sample in exactly the same condition as the other participants. After reconstitution, the material is as in your routine!
- Possibility to submit 2 results: with one purchased participation you will receive in the Final Report the evaluation for 2 laboratory technicians or 2 analytical techniques.
- Where participation involves sending 2 different Test Materials, (they may both be contaminated or one of them may be blank), in PT as in routine, the laboratory technicians do not know whether they are analysing a contaminated or a blank material. By providing 2 different Test Materials, the laboratory can then be assessed either for possible False Positives or for how the analytical method responds to different concentration levels.
- The information of False Positives will be present in the Final Report.
If you want to see more details about these or other PTs, such as the schedule, prices… go to this page to download the entire programme.
Here you can find information on HOW TO ORDER.
For any further information, do not hesitate to contact us at info@testveritas.com.
Follow us on LinkedIn to get the last update! Stay tuned!