Yorkshire Public Analyst to help Romanian scientists meet EU requirements

Dr Duncan Campbell, Public Analyst and Head of West Yorkshire Analytical Services, will be the only UK-based speaker taking part in an EU-sponsored Workshop on Control Programmes for Food Toxicants in Bucharest from 5 to 7 November.

As a new EU Member, Romania faces many harmonisation challenges, among which are those related to meeting EU standards for the detection, monitoring and control of food toxicants. The Workshop aims to allow those working in food inspection and analysis in Romania to learn from the experience of established Member States. Dr Campbell was invited to contribute his expertise as Head of an Official UK Food Control Laboratory.

"Many toxic substances can be found in food.", Dr Campbell commented. "Some, such as toxins from moulds, occur naturally and pesticide residues can be high if poor agricultural practices are followed. Then there is "food fraud", resulting from the deliberate use of impure or illegal ingredients."

"I'm delighted to have been asked to share some of our experience during this Workshop, where, in addition to reviewing historical and current practices of food adulteration in the UK,", he explained, "I will deliver a case study on the Sudan incidents in 2003 and 2005 to see what lessons can be learnt."

There are lessons for the UK too, as its Public Analysts lack sufficient resources to enable them to assist in major incidents of this nature.