The University renews its accreditation for the microbiological control of food products.
The laboratory of Food and Water Microbiology provides services to about 20 companies and catering services in Navarra. companies and catering services in Navarra
PHOTO: Manuel Castells
The laboratory of Food and Water Microbiology of the University of Navarra has renewed its accreditation as "laboratory of essay for the performance of microbiological analysis in food and water". This new recognition by the National Entity of accreditation (ENAC) entails the maintenance of the accreditation of the laboratory for almost 20 consecutive years, since its initial concession in 2001.
"The accreditation is the formal and public recognition of the technical skill and is therefore a safe way to identify laboratories that offer the highest reliability in their services. The outbreak of listeriosis that occurred this summer in Spain due to the consumption of contaminated larded meat makes even more evident the need for the food industry to corroborate the safety and quality of products through microbiological controls, in order to ensure the health of consumers," explains Dr. Anabel Vitas, manager of area of Microbiology and Food Safety.
The scope of accreditation of laboratory includes microbiological testing of food and drinking water by ISO standard methods, including the detection of Listeria monocytogenes.
The laboratory serves about 20 companies and catering services, mostly from Navarra. However, "this accreditation attracts other companies that request microbiological tests on products other than food and water, as they trust the way of working and the technical skill of laboratory", details Vitas. "In this regard, we collaborate with about 15 companies in the pharmaceutical, chemical (disinfectants) and Materials Engineeringsectors".
"ENAC audits entail an exhaustive assessment of the requirements of management and technicians of laboratory such as the adequacy of equipment and infrastructures, the qualification of staff, the application of validated and appropriate work procedures or the assurance of the traceability of measurements and calibrations", further explains Olga Ezpeleta, from the Quality Assurance Unit. "All of this results in reliable results and generates confidence among customers."