Why Should You Participate in AIMS?

AOAC INTERNATIONAL is seeking support for Analytical International Methods and Standards (AIMS), its newest multi-year integrated science program. The goals of this program are to prioritize and develop strategies to address analytical challenges presented by emerging food-borne organisms, provide internationally accepted standards and validated methods that meet the needs of the regulatory agencies and industry, and protect producers and consumers alike.

AOAC is looking for a wide variety of stakeholders, volunteers, and financial support to launch the AIMS program later this fall. The early-phase vision of AIMS is to launch two working groups that will work together on:

• New technologies that will need to be adapted for methods that address the challenges of foodborne non-culturable microorganisms, and
• Validation criteria that align with other existing standards.

AOAC is seeking support from organizations to commence program activities. If you are interested in supporting AIMS, please contact Palmer Orlandi, Ph.D. at [email protected]. Benefits for participating in AIMS include:

• Developing strategies and priorities to address the analytical challenges presented by important, emerging non-culturable food-borne microorganisms, 
• Providing consensus-driven, internationally aligned validation criteria for analytical methods to meet regional and internationally adopted regulatory requirements, 
• Developing standards and methods to protect producers and consumers alike to maintain the reputation of products and ultimately improve the quality and safety of the food supply, and
• Reviewing new technologies and addressing emerging challenges, e.g., advanced molecular applications, bioinformatics, and biotechnology.