Preface to the Compendium of Analytical Methods

Preface
January 2003

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The purpose of this Compendium is to provide a ready reference of methods and other related documents used by the Health Canada (HC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA):

1. to determine compliance of the food industry with standards and guidelines relative to microbiological and extraneous material hazards in foods,
   
2. to assess the safety of foods in general with respect to their microbiological or extraneous material content, and
   
3. in support of foodborne disease investigation.
   

These methods and supporting documents may be of interest to the food industry, other regulatory agencies, academia, private laboratories, or the individual consumer.

The methods are divided into three classes: Official Methods, HPB Methods, and Laboratory Procedures. Official Methods are those methods of analysis designated as such in the Food and Drugs Regulations. HPB Methods are fully validated and documented analytical methods. Laboratory Procedures are those methods not fully validated by interlaboratory studies (for more information see documents in Volume 1).

This Compendium is composed of four volumes in a loose-leaf format, permitting the substitution of amended sections for those proved out-of-date by subsequent technological change. Subscribers to the Compendium will be issued amendments as they are generated .

This Compendium represents the culmination of more than 20 years of effort by many people associated with Health Canada, (HC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Special thanks are owed to the many Research Scientists, Biologists, Analysts and Technicians across Canada for their participation in technical groups, collaborative studies and general usage of these methods.

Any comments or inquiries on these methods and documents should be addressed to:

Don Warburton
Editor, Compendium of Analytical Methods
Evaluation Division
Bureau of Microbial Hazards
Food Directorate
Sir Frederick Banting Research Center [2204A1]
Tunney's Pasture
OTTAWA, Ontario
K1A 0L2
Phone: (613) 957-1746
FAX: (613) 952-6400
E-mail: don_warburton@hc-sc.gc.ca

THIS COMPENDIUM IS AVAILABLE IN BOTH OFFICIAL LANGUAGES (ENGLISH AND FRENCH)