Determination of toxic trace elements in canned vegetables. The importance of sample preparation

Laboratory results were rated using z- and ζ-scores in accordance with ISO 13528:2005. Due to lack of specific sample preparation protocol for such commodities, the participants used two different approaches. From the analytical point of view the majority of laboratories (more than 74 %) performed satisfactorily. However, several participants (32) characterised the test item as compliant with the respective EU legislation, although it was not.