ISPAM September 6 2014 Meeting

ITEM VI

MEMORANDUM

D ATE :

S EPTEMBER 6, 2014 ISPAM/FP M EMBERS AOAC INTERNATIONAL

T O :

F ROM :

S UBJECT : Breakout Sessions – Discussion of Future Topics for ISPAM/FP ____________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND: Erin Crowley will lead a discussion of potential new topics and areas of interest for ISPAM. Potential topics will include: 1. Development of Guideline for Identification Methods for Microbiology with Complimentary SMPRs A method for the identification of a broad spectrum of bacteria has been submitted to AOAC for review. Neither AOAC nor ISO have guidelines for the validation of microbiology identification methods. All micro method validation guidelines are qualitative or quantitative methods. It is expected that more identification methods will be submitted in the future, and therefore AOAC and method developers will need a guideline for validation of these methods. This could be an international project since it can be assumed that ISO, NMKL, Health Canada, etc. will need validation guidelines for these methods. Development of a standard method performance requirement for microbiology identification methods could be a complementary project. 2. On-site method verification guidelines Development of a guideline for on-site verification was proposed at a previous ISPAM meeting but the panel did not select this topic because it was reported that ISO is, or will be, working on such a guideline. It would seem useful for AOAC to create a working group to work with ISO on such a guideline. 3. Follow-up on harmonization of BAM and ISO Salmonella methods. The working group on harmonization of BAM and ISO Salmonella methods agreed to begin work on additional harmonization in anticipation of the next round of ISO revisions. The suggestion was to identify and organize work that needs to be done to support additional harmonization. 4. Harmonization of other pathogen detection methods BAM and ISO Salmonella methods have been partially harmonized. It has been suggested that methods for other pathogens need to be harmonized as well. 5. Development of standard inclusivity/exclusivity panels for Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli and STEC methods Work on an STEC SMPR was abandoned after several months. A suggested inclusivity/exclusivity panels was created but never finished. Several working group participants commented on the usefulness of creating a suggested inclusivity/exclusivity panels.