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The International Association for Feeding stuff Analysis, section Feeding stuff Microscopy, organises annually a ring test for animal proteins for all their members. In this report the ring test for animal proteins is presented, which was organised by RIKILT in 2011 on behalf of the IAG section Feeding stuff Microscopy. A contamination level below 0.1%, i.e. 0.05% of animal proteins from terrestrial animals is also part of this ring test. The derogation to use fish meal for weaning ruminants, and the desire for further relaxation of the extended feed ban gave rise to inclusion of a contaminated fish meal, and a feel adulterated with feather meal. The main purpose of the ring test is to monitor the performance of the participating laboratories. The main part of this report presents and discusses the results in terms of sensitivity and specificity scores.

RIKILT serves as the only official control laboratory for animal proteins in feeds in the Netherlands in the framework of Directive 882/2004/EC. As National Reference Laboratory (NRL), RIKILT participated in 2 annual proficiency tests during the reporting period, in 2 additional interlaboratory studies addressing quantification issues, and in the annual meetings of EURL. In addition, RIKILT participated in a validation study for identification of bovine material by means of DNA analysis, in a workshop, and in a meeting in China. The interlaboratory study for DNA detection of bovine material showed that different protocols are comparable and that the identification of bovine material is feasible.

In 2009 RIKILT conducted a study on about 2,000 eggs to evaluate three different analytical verification methods: carotenoid profiling, fatty acid profiling and isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The eggs were collected from about 50 Dutch farms. The selection was based on the farms’ location and size, and production methods: organic, free range and barn raised. Carotenoid profiling showed a 100% correct prediction of the identity (organic vs. conventional) for the organic eggs in this ‘training set’.

A ring test was organized for the detection of animal proteins in animal feed by microscopy in the framework of the annual ring tests of the IAG - International Association for Feeding stuff Analysis, Section Feeding stuff Microscopy. The organizer of the ring test was RIKILT - Institute of food safety, Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands. The aim of the ring study was to provide the participants information on the performance of the method in their laboratory. This is essential information for their individual quality systems. A further objective was to gather information about a set of analytical parameters of the microscopic method.

The detection of animal proteins in feed remains an important issue in the process of avoiding Mad Cow Disease.

Eggs were analysed for stable isotope composition, as a measure for organic produce authentication.

The results of a proficiency test for the detection of animal proteins in animal feed by microscopy, PCR (DNA detection) and immunoassay methods are presented in this report.