Laboratories  Services    PRODUCT SAMPLING AND STORAGE    SAMPLE ANALYSES    LABORATORY SERVICES AVAILABLE PRODUCT SAMPLING AND STORAGE A lot of fishery product intended for export will be sampled at plant by well trained officers. The sampling plan used is AQL 6.5 recommended by CODEX Alimentarius Commission. The officers shall ensure that the following information is relevant to the information stated the request for sampling from the exporter :    Name of manufacturer    Production code    Date of production Specia precaution is given to preserve integrity of frozen samples. The samples drawn are properly handled by storing in FIQD refrigerated truck during transportation from plant to the laboratories.  The samples are immediately stored in cold storage at  -18oC upon arrival .    All collected samples are to be analysed within 3 days upon receipt at the laboratories. SAMPLE ANALYSES The samples are subjected to examination on 3 aspects for chemical, microbiological and physical and sensory quality.  FIQD  has developed qualified  and  trained laboratory personnel  capable of evaluating many aspects of fisheries post-harvest technology.   Professional staff are graduates in the field of Fisheries,  Food Sciences,  Food Technology,  Biology,  Microbiology and Chemistry. The laboratories have adequate facilities and equipment to carry out the functions and responsibilities associated with fish inspection laboratory program. A sample which fails on any test may lead to a rejection of the lot and refusal of certificate issuance. Resampling and repeated analyses may be granted depending on causes of initial inspection. LABORATORY SERVICES AVAILABLE FIQD is equipped with 3 main laboratories responsible for analysis of fishery products for export. Services available are determination of various aspects of product quality as follows :   Chemical Laboratories Quality index Proximate analysis Food additives Toxin Antibiotics Contaminants 1. Total Volatile Basic-Nitrogen    (TVB-N) 2. Trimethylamine (TMA) 3. Histamine – Putresciene 4. Cadavarine 1. Moisture 2. Protein 3. Fat 4. Salt 5. Potassium 6. Ash 1. Sulphite,     sulphurdioxide 2. Phosphate 3. EDTA 4. Benzoic acid/     Benzoate 1. PSP 2. DSP 3. Domoic acid   1. Oxytetracycline 2. Oxolinic acid 1. Heavy metal     i.e.Hg, Cd,     Pb etc.   Microbiological Laboratories    Total Viable Plate Count    Escherichia coli    Staphyloccoccus aureus    Vibrio cholerae    Vibrio parahaemolyticus    Salmonella    Shigella    Listeria monocytogenes    Enterocoocci    Sterility test    Antibiotics (Oxytetracycline and Oxolinic acid) using microbioassay techniques etc.   Physical and Sensory Laboratories    Weight determination    Container integrity    Seam teardown    Filth    Sensory quality