Food industry

At the beginning of the 1990s, AFNOR Certification was the first certification body in Europe to begin validating alternative analysis methods. Today, AFNOR Certification remains the European leader in this sector: NF VALIDATION has certified more than 150 alternative methods worldwide.

Today, NF Validation certified methods in the food analysis sector concern:

  • The detection or enumeration of microorganisms (Listeria, Salmonella, coliforms, etc.), validated by comparison with a standardized reference method according to the protocol described in ISO 16140-2 (2016) and its amendment A1 (2024),
  • The confirmation or typing of microorganisms, validated by comparison with a standardized reference method according to the protocol described in ISO 16140-6 (2019),
  • Or the screening of antibiotic residues by direct characterization of their analytical performance.

Access to the certified methods by germs on food industry

A guarantee of recognition at the European level

In January 2006, the application of Regulation (EC) 2073/2005 relating to the microbiological criteria applicable to foodstuffs gave the NF VALIDATION mark a truly European standing. Indeed, the NF VALIDATION mark meets the three fundamental requirements described in article 5 of the regulation with a view to European recognition of alternative methods:

  • It is issued by a third party certifying organization (AFNOR Certification).
  • It implements the validation protocol described in EN ISO 16140.
  • It takes as a reference for validation study the methods described in annex 1 of the regulation.

 In France, the Directorate for food of the French Agriculture ministry (DGAL) formalised this recognition in a memo.

AFNOR Certification communicates with other validation systems in worldwide in order to establish mutual recognition between different validation systems in the future, in particular with AOAC.

Innovations in response to the needs of the analysis sector

In 2017, AFNOR Certification innovated once again with the publication of a protocol dedicated to the validation of screening tests for veterinary residues in food. Launched at the instigation of the Anses de Fougères (National Reference Laboratory for antibiotics) and in partnership with the CNIEL (National Interprofessional Centre for the Dairy Economy), this protocol is the result of 3 years of collaboration between players in the field (users, manufacturers, etc.). This new application consolidates AFNOR Certification’s technical expertise and know-how in the method validation sector.

In 2025, AFNOR Certification will begin validating commercial alternative methods in accordance with the ISO 16140-6 (2019) validation protocol for the confirmation and typing of microorganisms in comparison with a standardized reference method.

The NV Validation mark and the certification of alternative methods on video

On 27 June 2024, the NF Validation mark belonging to AFNOR Certification was honoured at the Food Microbiology Tour in Rennes. Organised by Merck Life Science, Millipore Sigma and its partners, the day brought together experts in food microbiology to discuss a range of topical issues: the environment, microbiology, certification and accreditation of analysis methods. The ‘certification of analytical methods’ section was addressed by Hélène MURET, head of the NF Validation mark, which is part of AFNOR Certification. After watching the video, the NF Validation mark and certification process will no longer hold any secrets for you!

 

Access to the certified methods by germs on food industry

You will find below listed the certified analytical methods and holder companies. The methods are classified by principle. Download (PDF format) the two public documents relating to each certified alternative method: the nf validation certificate and the summary validation study report.