Pesticide Residue Testing, Radiation Testing & Bacterial Testing

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he London Borough of Hillingdon is responsible for overseeing imported food and feed controls at its Imported Food Office located at London Heathrow Airport. European Community legislation requires imports of certain food and feed products to be introduced into the United Kingdom only via approved inspection facilities. The Imported Food Office at London Heathrow Airport is an approved inspection facility for both imports of products of animal origin, and those not of animal origin. The contract requires the analysis of imports of feed and food for the following contaminants: • Lot A - Pesticide residues • Lot B - Caesium-134 and Caesium-137 • Lot C - Microbiological contaminants • Lot D - Other Miscellaneous • Lot E - All of the above The London Borough of Hillingdon reserved the right to award some, all or none of the Lots shown above. The majority of imports that are examined by London Borough of Hillingdon Imported Food Officers are fresh, highly perishable products. The supplier will also be required to carry out analysis of samples submitted by the London Borough of Hillingdon Food Health and Safety Team for the purpose of enforcing the following legislation: a. Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2013 b. The Food Safety Act 1990 and regulations made thereunder c. The Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013 d. any other legislation where it is agreed that the contractor has access to appropriate facilities and qualification to test the goods or samples. Contract Commencement- December 2021 The Contract is for an initial term of three (3) years extendable at Hillingdon’s sole discretion for a further period of two (2) years extension, giving a total of five (5) years (the Term). Lot Lot A - Pesticide Residues (Fresh produce): Retained Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 requires increased controls on imports of fruits and vegetables originating from certain countries outside of the European Union. Consignments that are subject to these increased controls must undergo a documentary check. In addition to this, an identity check and physical examination must be carried out at varying frequencies as set out in the Regulation. In cases where a physical examination takes place, a formal sample is taken from the consignment to be tested for a range of contaminants listed in the Regulation. The most common laboratory test required at present by the imported food office is a test for the presence of pesticide residues Lot Lot B - Microbiological analysis: Microbiological analysis is required for both products of animal origin and products not of animal origin. The most common microbiological test required at present is a test for Salmonella spp in betel leaves as required by Retained Regulation (EU) 2019/1793. During the 2019/2020 financial year, microbiological analysis was carried out on: ● 10 consignments of products of animal origin (POAO). ● 2 consignments of products not of animal origin (PNAO) - detained pending results During the 2020/2021 financial year, microbiological analysis was carried out on: ● 2 consignments of products of animal origin POAO. ● 5 consignments of products not of animal origin (PNAO) - detained pending results Lot Lot C - Radiation: Following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station on the 11th March 2011, the European Commission was informed that radionuclide levels in certain food products originating in Japan exceeded the action levels in food applicable in Japan. This contamination was considered to possibly constitute a threat to public and animal health in the European Union. The European Commission therefore published Implementing Regulation (EU) No 297/2011 of the 25th March 2011 which imposed special conditions governing the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan. Commission Implementing Regulation 2016/6 (as amended) contains the most up-to-date import requirements applicable to imports of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan. Article 10 of this Regulation sets out the official controls that are to be applied. This includes random physical checks, including laboratory analysis for the presence of Caesium-134 and Caesium-137 being carried out on consignments imported. Consignments that are tested remain detained for a maximum of five working days, pending the availability of the results of the laboratory analysis Lot Lot D - Other categories of analysis: Analysis is required for the following contaminants: ● Plastic kitchenware - Formaldehyde / Primary aromatic amines ● Pesticide analysis - dried products (e.g. tea) ● Mycotoxins ● Sulphur dioxide ● Chloramphenicol ● Veterinary residues ● Speciation testing ● Adulteration ● Nutrition and health claims ● Dangerous substances (DNP, DMMA) ● Heavy Metals ● Histamine Detection ● Dioxins ● PAHs ● Unauthorised GMOs ● Sudan Dyes The above list of contaminants is not exhaustive and new testing requirements can be introduced at any point. Lot Lot 5- All of the required tests: Lot 5- consists of all the tests required under Lots A-D