Comparative testing report on the detection and quantification of soybean event 40-3-2 : comparative testing round: ILC-EURL-GMFF-CT-01/11

In the frame of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, the European Union Reference Laboratory for Genetically Modified Food and Feed has the duty to organise comparative testing rounds and to ensure an appropriate follow-up of these activities. This report describes the outcome of the third comparative testing round ILC-EURL-GMFF-CT-01/11. Participants had to determine the GM content in two test items denoted soybean powder levels 1 and 2, containing different GM percentages of soybean event 40-3-2 flour. This comparative testing round was organised in collaboration with the Food Safety and Quality Unit of the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (Geel, BE). The soybean event 40-3-2 test items were produced in-house. The Food Safety and Quality Unit managed the on-line registration and submission of results. A total of 155 laboratories were invited to participate in ILC-EURL-GMFF-CT-01/11. Eight National Reference Laboratories declined participation, of which one was no longer a National Reference Laboratory. One hundred and two laboratories from 43 countries returned results, of which 62 were National Reference Laboratories, 11 were members of the European Network of GMO Laboratories only, eight were only Official control laboratories and 21 were laboratories from third countries. Seven laboratories including one National Reference Laboratory, one European Network of GMO Laboratory and five laboratories from a third country did not submit results. Participants could report the results of the exercise either in mass/mass % or in copy/copy %. In this third comparative testing round greater than 86 % of participants gained a satisfactory z-score in the range of -2 to +2 for both soybean powder levels 1 and 2 regardless of the calibration method and the measurement unit.