engleski

Dairy laboratories as part of milk chain integration

The obligation of all dairy laboratories is to be linked in the same traceability chain so that those results can be compared in European countries. Moreover, in the world trade of milk and dairy products credible and acceptable analytical results are only those which come from accredited laboratories (EN ISO/IEC 17025). In order to obtain accuracy and precision of analytical results each laboratory must implement suitable programmes according to ISO/IEC 17025. These programmes must include the use of reference materials, standards for the calibration of instruments and also, the plan for participation in Proficiency testing schemes – PT’s as the best tool for checking the accuracy of analytical results. Since 2005 until now the Reference Laboratory for Milk and Dairy Products - RL of the Department of Dairy Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb has accredited 41 analytical methods of milk and dairy products. RL participates in the collaborative studies and PT’s organised by European dairy laboratories since 1996. At the same time, RL organizes the delivery of calibration samples and PT samples for other dairy laboratories in Croatia and other countries. The organisation of PT includes samples of cow's (row, pasteurized and sterilized), goat's and sheep's milk for the parameters: milk fat, protein, lactose, dry matter, urea, freezing point, individual bacteria count and somatic cell count. PT's of dairy products are organised for cheese (milk fat, protein, dry matter, pH, NaCl), yogurt (milk fat, protein, dry matter, pH, lactic acid) and cream (milk fat, protein, dry matter). Statistical analysis of the results is performed according to instructions given in EN ISO/IEC 17043. Dairy laboratories should be encouraged to participate in PT schemes and calibration programmes to ensure traceability and accuracy of analytical results and therefore became the part of milk chain integration.

Milk; Dairy products; Laboratories; PT schemes; Traceability.

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