Worcestershire Public Analysts retire
Bob and Carol Stevens, Public Analysts with Worcestershire County Council have retired.
Restaurant counts the cost of beef in lamb dish
Worcestershire County Council has successfully prosecuted a Worcester restaurant for selling lamb meals that contained other meats.
New Laboratory Manager
Nigel Payne has taken up his post as Laboratory Manager with Durham County Coucil. To learn more about Nigel and his new post
Successful prosecution of supermarket
Elizabeth Moran, Public Analyst for Worcestershire County Council, provides information of a recent prosecution of Morrison's Supermarket for selling fresh fish that was not fresh
“The Truth about Your Food"
APA President, Alan Richards, appeared in Channel 4's 'Dispatches' programme broadcast on Thursday 10th January.
European Commission Inspectors Visit Glasgow Scientific Services Laboratory
Inspectors from the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of the European Commission recently visited the laboratories of Glasgow Scientific Services.
Public Analysts attend "Science in Parliament" 2007
Public Analysts from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Tayside attended the latest event of Science in Parliament which was held in "Our Dynamic Earth Centre" in Edinburgh.
President of the APA addresses international Food Symposium in China and Visits Government Chemist Laboratory in Hong Kong
Alan Richards, President of the Association of Public Analysts, was one of only four international speakers invited to address the first International Food Symposium held in Guangzhou on 22 and 23 November. Two other members of the Association, Peter Brown and Michael Walker, also spoke at the symposium. Alan was also invited by the Government Chemist in Hong Kong to speak with staff in the laboratories and share experiences and expertise in food analysis.
New laboratory for Dundee Public Analysts
New laboratory facilities for Dundee's Public Analysts were opened by Professor Hugh Pennington on 12 November.
Two Public Analysts' Laboratories join European Network of GMO Laboratories
Worcestershire Scientific Services and Somerset Scientific Services, have been admitted to the European Network of Genetically Modified Organisms Laboratories following authorisation by the Food Standards Agency.
Egyptian scientists visit Public Analyst Laboratory
Kent Scientific Services hosted a visit by Egyptian Scientists studying analysis of food additives and contaminants.
Yorkshire Public Analyst to help Romanian scientists meet EU requirements
Dr Duncan Campbell of West Yorkshire Scientific Services will be the only UK speaker at an EU-sponsored Workshop on Control Programmes for Food Toxicants in Bucharest.
APA Conference 2007
The Association held its 2007 Annual Conference in Durham on 25 and 26 October. A short account, and copies of a number of the speakers' presentations, are now available.
Loss of two Aberdeen Public Analysts.
Due to a restructuring in Aberdeen City Council, two Public Analysts, who have 54 years service between them, retired on 31st August.
Government Chemist publishes Annual Review of 2006.
The Government Chemist has published his annual review of the year 2006. The review is available on the Government Chemist Website.
President attends Science in the Assembly May 2007.
The President of the Association of Public Analyst, Alan Richards, attended "Science in the Assembly" at the Welsh Assembly.
FSA Publishes Report on Wild and Farmed Fish.
FSA have carried out a survey on fish sold as "Wild". The report, which shows some farmed fish being sold as wild, is now available on the Food Standards Agency Website.
Government Chemist Publishes Report on Chromatographic Methods for Ginkgo Biloba and Echinacea in Food Supplements.
The Government Chemist has published a report on a study of chromatographic methods for Ginkgo Biloba and Echinacea, two popular ingredients in dietary supplements. The report is now available on the Government Chemist Website.
Large Fines for Counterfeit Vodka and Gin.
On the evidence of the Public Analyst, Stockton Borough Council successfully prosecuted a retailer displaying counterfeit Smirnoff Vodka and Gordon's Gin for sale.
Government Chemist Publishes Report on the Analysis of Chondroitin in Supplements.
The Government Chemist has published a report which describes the assessment of the suitability of methods for the analysis of Chondroitin in commercial formulations. The report makes recommendations to address some problems that impinge upon the accuracy and reproducibility of such analyses. The report is now available on the Government Chemist Website.
Dangerous Vodka Detected by Welsh Public Analyst Laboratories.
"Vodka", which appeared to be processed industrial alcohol and contained dangerous methanol, has been found in Wales.
Fish Producer in Court Following Deficiency in Fish Content.
Thistle Seafoods were given a large fine and required to pay costs following sale of fish products deficient in fish.
Public Analyst and Government Chemist Combine to Detect Deficiency is Fish Fingers.
Following and adverse report by a Public Analyst the Government Chemist analysed samples of fish fingers. The findings confirmed the Public Analyst's report of a deficiency in fish content and the trader responsible received two large fines.
Government Chemist Publishes Methods for the Determination of Sudan-I and related dyes.
Following a food contamination incident in 2005 the Laboratory of the Government Chemist carried out a study to develop a reliable method for the determinaiton of Sudan-I and related dyes. The method is now available on the Government Chemist Website.
Government Chemist Completes Study into Methods for the Determination of Folate in Food.
A study into the effects of different extraction techniques on apparent folate content of foods has been completed. An abstract of the findings is available on the Government Chemist Website.
Glasgow Public Analyst Retires.
Dr Charles McDonald, Depute Director Environmental Protection Services and Head of Scientific Services Division of Glasgow City Council, retired on 22 December 2006.
Chairman of The Association of Public Analysts of Scotland Steps Down.
Public Analysts in Scotland are members of a Scottish organisation in addition to the APA. At their recent AGM a presentation was made to the Chairman who is standing down.
Public Analysts and Food Fraud, Item 2.
The New Scientist magazine published an article on food fraud in November. The President of the Association wrote to the magazine expressing concern at the low level of spending on enforcement activity in this important area.
Public Analysts and Food Fraud.
The Times newsaper recently published an article on Food Fraud. A former President of the Association wrote to the paper explaining the Public Analyst role in detecting such fraud and raising concern at the reducing funding for this work.
Public Analysts to Debate Decline of Food Controls in the UK.
The President of the Association has expressed concern over the decrease in the numbers of Public Analysts. Discussions are to be opened early in 2007 to discuss this problem with the Food Standards Agency.
APA Conference 2006, Food Labelling, Supplements & Diet.
The Association of Public Analysts held their 2006 Annual Conference in Aberdeen on the theme "Food Labelling, Supplements & Diet". The Conference Programme and speakers' presentations are available in pdf format.
Public Analysts attend "Science in Parliament".
Public Analysts from around Scotland attended the latest event of Science in Parliament which was held in "Our Dynamic Earth Centre" in Edinburgh. The President of the Association, Alan Richards also offered support to the event by manning the stand for part of the day.
Food Retailers fined £12,000 for "Chicken" with only 76% Meat.
Public Analyst finds "Premium Chicken Breasts" containing only 76% chicken.
New President of the Association of Public Analysts takes up Office.
Alan Richards, Head of Scientific Services for Durham County Council, took over the President's Chain of Office at the Association of Public Analysts Conference in Aberdeen in September.
