Page 53 - FoodFocusThailand No.203 February 2023

STRONG QC & QA

To improve the quality of life in the agricultural
sector for rice farmers, we should emphasize a new
focus on rice quality rather than solely quantity. This
approach can be initiated at the beginning of the
supply chain with the use of certified rice seeds and
to encourage farmers to exercise Good Agricultural
Practices (GAPs) as well as to implement Good
Hygiene Practices (GHPs) for rice mills. These
measures will help to improve the quality of rice and
rice products based on production standards.
These processes are part of the application of a
quality infrastructure for rice in the upstream and
midstream, under the concept of National Quality
Infrastructure (NQI).
NQI represents an internationally-reputable
standard consisting of organizations engaging in;
(1) Standardization: organizations such as the
Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the
National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food
Standards (ACFS) are responsible for setting
standards for rice products.
(2) Conformity assessment: Testing and
inspecting laboratories are responsible for testing the
rice products to meet standards.
(3) Accreditation bodies: The Bureau of
Laboratory Accreditation, Department of Science
Service (BLA-DSS), Bureau of Laboratory Quality
Standards, Department of Medical Science (BLQS,
DMSc), Thailand Industrial Standards Institute,
Ministry of Industry (TISI) are responsible for
laboratory accreditation. and arsenic species in white rice
(4) Metrology: The National Institute of Metrology flour, organophosphate pesticides in
(Thailand) (NIMT) establishes and maintains the rice flour, and aflatoxins in rice flour.
national measurement standards to ensure accurate These matrix CRMs are for validating
and reliable measurements as well as provide the methods or as quality control
metrological traceability. NIMT disseminates its samples. In addition, there are some
calibration services and provides Certified CRMs for testing genetically modified
Reference Materials (CRMs) to laboratories within (GM) rice such as Bt63-Rice Plasmid,
the country. LLrice601-Rice Plasmid DNA, and
(5) Market surveillance: organizations that are LLrice62-Rice Plasmid DNA. These
responsible for consumer protection, competition, and TRMs are prepared in accordance
fair trade. with the ISO 17034 standard. There are several advantages of
CRMs are materials whose property values have using the TRMs; their quality is equivalent to the CRMs produced
been certified. The associate measurement uncertainty by other National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) with reasonable costs
and metrological traceability are also provided. Their and rapid transportation. In addition, NIMT can provide technical
intended uses are for instrument calibration, method consultations to the laboratories. The main benefit of the use of
validation, and quality control. TRM is a trademark of CRMs is that Thai rice quality analysis will be readily accepted
the CRMs produced by NIMT or other Designated according to international standards.
Institutes (DIs). There are many CRMs used for testing
rice and rice products that have been produced by
NIMT such as Moisture in materials (paddy, rice, and
rice powder). These types of CRMs are for the
calibration of moisture meters. CRMs for food safety More Information Service Info C009
testing such as elements in glutinous rice, elements

FEB 2023 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND 53

20/1/2566 BE 10:30
50-53_Strong QC&QA_���������.indd 53 20/1/2566 BE 10:30
50-53_Strong QC&QA_���������.indd 53