- Folder International Cooperation
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- Last Updated 21/03/2025
From March 18 to 20, 2025, the National Institute for Food Control (NIFC) successfully hosted an intensive training course on "Technical Follow-up Training on Heavy Metal Analysis in Rice for Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam". This event not only provided crucial scientific knowledge but also significantly contributed to strengthening food testing capabilities across ASEAN, particularly in the analysis of heavy metals in rice—a key export commodity for Southeast Asian countries.
Training Program under the ASEAN-PTB Project
The training course was conducted as part of the ASEAN-PTB Project on "Strengthening Quality Infrastructure in ASEAN," in collaboration with:
- ASEAN Food Reference Laboratory for Heavy Metals and Trace Elements (AFRL - Thailand)
- Bureau of Quality and Safety of Food (BQSF), Department of Medical Sciences (DMScs), Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Thailand
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) – Germany's National Metrology Institute
- National Institute for Food Control (NIFC), Vietnam’s Ministry of Health
This training built upon the previous online course conducted in June 2024 and aimed to enhance the expertise and practical skills of laboratory personnel across ASEAN in heavy metal analysis, particularly in rice—an essential agricultural export product in the region.
Participation of Leading Experts in the Region
The training program proudly welcomed leading experts and scientists from prominent food research and testing institutions across ASEAN, including:
- Cambodia: Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF Laboratory)
- Lao PDR: National Center for Food and Drug Analysis
- Myanmar: Food Chemistry Laboratory, Food and Drug Administration
- Vietnam: National Authority for Agro - Forestry - Fishery Quality, Processing and Market Development - Center 5; Quality Assurance and Testing Center 3/ Food Testing Lab, National Institute for Food Control.
The participation of these experts not only facilitated knowledge-sharing and technical exchange but also strengthened collaborative opportunities among national reference laboratories in ASEAN.
Key Highlights of the Training Course
The training focused on several core areas, including:
- In-depth Theoretical Knowledge: Updates on key principles of method validation in heavy metal analysis.
- Hands-on Practical Training: Participants gained direct experience in sample preparation, ICP-MS operation, and data processing following standardized procedures.
- Optimization of Analytical Results: Advanced discussions on measurement uncertainty, precision improvement, and reliability enhancement in heavy metal analysis.
- Networking and Collaboration: Opportunities to connect national reference laboratories, fostering regional cooperation in food safety and testing.
Beyond theoretical instruction, participants actively engaged in laboratory practice on ICP-MS systems, mastering method validation techniques and uncertainty estimation in heavy metal analysis.
Significance of the Training for ASEAN Food Safety
Heavy metal contamination in food, particularly in rice, remains a major concern due to its potential health hazards. Effective control of heavy metals in rice not only protects consumer health but also enhances the quality of ASEAN’s agricultural exports.
With advances in analytical science, ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) is recognized as one of the most powerful tools for detecting and quantifying heavy metals with high sensitivity and accuracy. Thus, capacity-building initiatives like this training are critical to equipping ASEAN laboratories with the necessary expertise and technology for effective food safety management.
Successful Conclusion and Future Directions
After three days of intensive training, the program concluded with outstanding outcomes. Participants successfully completed the course, gaining a solid understanding of heavy metal analysis in rice, including data processing, measurement uncertainty assessment, and quality assurance techniques. More importantly, the event fostered valuable discussions and experience-sharing among laboratories in and beyond ASEAN.
In the coming months, NIFC will continue collaborating with international and regional organizations to organize further training programs, promote technology transfer, and advance research in food safety and quality control.
Let’s look back at some memorable moments from the training and stay tuned for upcoming events!
Opening Ceremony of the Training Course
Mr. Supat Sangsuay, Senior Expert and Head of the Heavy Metals and Minerals Laboratory, Bureau of Quality and Safety of Food (BQSF), Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, delivering a speech at the opening ceremony.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trần Cao Sơn, Deputy Director of the National Institute for Food Control, Ministry of Health,
delivering the opening speech
Trainees practicing in the laboratory
Trainees practicing in the laboratory
Trainees practicing in the laboratory
Trainees practicing in the laboratory
Trainees practicing in the laboratory
Trainees practicing in the laboratory
Trainees practicing in the laboratory
Closing Ceremony of the Training Course
Vu Thi Nhat Le
Laboratory of Heavy Metals and Minerals - Vietnam Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment
