The Analytical Solutions Forum is a mechanism for AOAC’s global stakeholders to identify emerging analytical needs, propose actions to address them, and identify emerging technologies to support them.
AOAC’s New Initiatives process takes the next step by bringing together the human and financial resources to support these priority standards development projects.
AOAC’s strategic operating model includes traditional stakeholder panels as well as focused, self-sustaining programs. Depending on community needs, each program may integrate elements from AOAC’s suite of capabilities:
The primary vehicle for supporting New Initiatives is through participation in an AOAC Advisory Panel. Advisory Panels are program-specific groups comprising representatives from organizations who commit to contributing funding each year and who are instrumental in determining priorities for the program’s working groups.
The following programs are currently seeking stakeholder support:
A proposed working group to develop a voluntary consensus standard (or standards) for the determination (quantification) of 35 pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) to meet new maximum levels. The working group will develop one or more Standard Method Performance Requirements® (SMPRs®) for PAs in teas, herbal infusions, herbs, seed spices and botanical dietary supplement ingredients.
A multi-year, self-sustaining umbrella program for projects delivering analytical solutions for current capability gaps in laboratory testing, responding to emerging microbial threats to food safety, and developing standards for using cutting-edge technologies.
A proposed working group composed of four contaminant-specific subgroups to develop and adopt voluntary consensus standards for color additives from natural sources. Stakeholder-approved standards will be used in the development of Official Methods of Analysis for microbial contaminants, residual solvents, pesticide residues, and heavy metal contaminants in naturally derived color additives.
A new multi-year program funded by stakeholders to collaboratively re-invigorate efforts to address current and newly emerging analytical needs within the botanical and dietary supplement community.
An integrated project to provide
analytical solutions for the detection and quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in processed and packaged foods and raw agricultural commodities.
To contribute to a new AOAC initiative or for more information, please contact:
Alicia Meiklejohn
AOAC Director of Business Development
301-924-7077 ext. 101
[email protected]
