Summary
This ISO standard (likely ISO 17294 or a related ISO 6869/11885 series document) provides internationally harmonised analytical methodology for determining trace element content in food products using ICP-OES and ICP-MS techniques. It sets out standardised sample digestion, calibration, and quality control procedures to ensure comparability of results across laboratories and countries. The document serves as a foundational reference for food safety monitoring, nutrient composition research, and regulatory compliance programmes worldwide.
UK applicability
This standard is directly applicable in the UK, where laboratories accredited by UKAS and bodies such as the Food Standards Agency rely on ISO-validated methods for food composition monitoring, contaminant surveillance, and compliance with retained EU and domestic food safety legislation.
Key measures
Trace element concentrations (e.g. zinc, iron, copper, selenium, cadmium, lead, arsenic) in food matrices (mg/kg or µg/kg); method detection limits; measurement uncertainty; recovery rates
Outcomes reported
The standard specifies validated analytical procedures for the quantitative determination of trace elements in food products using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It defines performance criteria, sample preparation protocols, and quality assurance requirements for laboratory analysis.
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