The certification of the mass fractions of elements in fish muscle : certified reference material ERM-BB422

This report describes the development of a reference material to replace the CRM BCR-422 (Cod muscle). The target parameters for certification were the mass fractions of As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn. The desired mass fractions were those at natural levels that are similar to BCR-422 and below regulatory limits for food contaminants as specified in EC Regulation no. 466/2001 (Cd < 0.05 μg/g, Hg < 0.5 μg/g, Pb < 0.3 μg/g "wet weight"). Values are to be traceable to the SI and expressed as dry mass fraction. The purpose of the reference material is the quality control of measurement methods for trace element mass fractions in fish. Throughout this report, results are expressed as a mass fraction on a dry mass basis. For practical purposes, the dry mass is established by determining the "loss of mass on drying" under defined conditions. It should be noted that determination of the dry mass correction factor under conditions other than specified in (section 10.2 of) this report might lead to results that differ from the certified values.