Word of Lab Director

Under the slogan “Safe Food … Better Health

In view of the state’s concern in the safety of the Egyptian citizen’s food, the Central Laboratory for Analysis of Pesticide Residues and Heavy Metals affiliated to the Agricultural Research Center has been established in 1995. It was awarded a grant from Finland and obtained the accreditation of ISO/IEC 17025 :2017 from Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC) and American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) since its establishment. Since then, the accreditation has been annually renewed until now.Based on the concern of the state and the Ministry of Agriculture in the field of food and agricultural crop safety, also based on the reputation of Egyptian exports which ensures the increase of Egyptian fresh and processed food’s exports, and finally based on the national role undertaken by the Central Laboratory for Analysis of Food Pesticide Residues and Heavy Metals in the control of different pollutants, the laboratory has established a national system since 1995. This system monitors pesticide residues on different crops, completes the system of legislation and decisions issued concerning the systematic use and circulation of pesticides, investigates and assesses pesticide residues in agricultural food crops.

The multiple and varied activities carried out by the laboratory contribute to the achievement of its important role. Such activities, as research activities, research projects, marketing, training, instruction and others, increase Egyptian exports and food safety control in the Egyptian market.

Laboratory Work Capacity:

Testing capacity of the laboratory reached 1200 samples in the first year 1995. It was expected to reach 5 thousand samples in 1998 and then 10 thousand in 2001. However, due to increased demand for analysis of pollutants, the number of samples analyzed over the past years has increased reaching more than 40 thousand samples in 2013. In the future coming years, this figure is expected to rise to 80 thousand samples after the opening of the building annexed to the lab and destined to pollutant analysis. This new building will help absorb the increased number of samples.

Laboratory Personnel:
The number of analysts in the lab exceeds 70 analysts and researchers recruited among highly caliber staff qualified for various specific lab analyses. These analysts and researchers receive training in various fields in European laboratories specialized in analysis, operating systems, quality control and quality assurance of food safety. The number of auxiliary departments exceeds 80 employees distributed among secretarial, administrative, financial, technical divisions and drivers.

Laboratory Information Center:
The lab includes a computer network in specific locations which starts at the reception and ends at the Information Center where all test results are stored since the establishment of the laboratory in 1995. It is considered a scientific reference and database which benefit all staff in the field of research, studies and decision-making concerning pesticides and other pollutants. As well, it offers its services to consumers, exporters and importers who are able to take advantage of the laboratory’s database.

Laboratory Position on the International Map:

The laboratory stands as one the most important in Egypt and the Middle East as it is the only one participating in efficiency tests specific to European Union laboratories made outside the European Union. According to international authorities for classification of laboratories that perform efficiency tests in the European Union, it is classified in the first outstanding category. This category does not exceed 50 laboratories, all of which exist in the EU countries with the exception of the Central Laboratory which has represented Egypt for seven consecutive years. Since 2008 until now, the lab has continuously won efficiency tests offered by German Quality Scheme for Food “QS”. Among other conditions, this German Service holds an annual test for membership admission in professional and specialty laboratories in the field of pesticide residue analysis. The laboratory has become a member in “QS” since 2008. It has also been accredited by the group of markets “Eidika” in Germany.

Lab Director
Prof. Dr. Hend Abdella