ISO 17240:2004

Overview

ISO 17240:2004 establishes a standardized method for determining the tin content in fruit and vegetable products using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). This international standard is specifically designed for the rapid and routine analysis of tin contamination, particularly in canned fruits and vegetables. The standard covers measurement levels from 10 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg of tin, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and quality assurance processes in the agro-food industry.

Key Topics

• Scope and Range: The method is suitable for products where total dry matter does not exceed 30%. Products with higher solids are analyzed by reducing the sample amount and diluting with deionized water.
• Analytical Technique: Utilizes atomic absorption spectrometry with a nitrous oxide/acetylene flame for precise quantification of tin.
• Sample Preparation: Includes digestion of samples in hydrochloric acid at 80°C, ensuring efficient extraction of tin.
• Calibration and Measurement: Involves the use of standard tin solutions to prepare calibration graphs for accurate absorbance measurements.
• Precision and Reproducibility: Based on collaborative studies, the method demonstrates reliable repeatability and reproducibility across a range of sample matrices, supporting data integrity.
• Reporting: The standard outlines essential elements for test reports, including complete sample identification, the procedure used, and any deviations from the standard method.

Applications

ISO 17240:2004 is highly valuable in quality control laboratories and food safety testing facilities, supporting:

• Routine Tin Analysis: Essential for food manufacturers and regulatory agencies to monitor and control tin migration from cans into fruit and vegetable preserves.
• Regulatory Compliance: Facilitates adherence to national and international food safety standards by providing a validated method for tin determination.
• Product Quality Assessment: Ensures that fruit and vegetable products meet safety requirements before reaching consumers.
• Laboratory Accreditation: Provides a recognized analytical method that supports the accreditation of laboratories conducting heavy metal analyses in food products.
• Adulteration and Contamination Detection: Enables the detection and quantification of tin contamination, supporting incident investigations and recall assessments in the agro-food sector.

Related Standards

For laboratories and practitioners implementing ISO 17240:2004, the following standards provide additional guidance and context:

• ISO 5725-2:1994 - Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results - Part 2: Basic method for the determination of repeatability and reproducibility of a standard measurement method.
• NMKL Method No 126/1988 - Nordic Committee on Food Analysis method for tin determination in fruits and vegetables by atomic absorption.
• ISO/IEC 17025 - General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories (relevant for laboratories seeking formal accreditation).
• Codex Alimentarius Standards - International food standards which may reference maximum permissible levels of tin in canned foods.

Adoption of ISO 17240:2004 assures accurate, reliable, and directly comparable results for tin content in fruit and vegetable products across the global food industry, supporting both consumer safety and regulatory scrutiny. For laboratories engaged in chemical analysis of food products, this standard delivers a structured, scientifically validated method optimized for efficient and routine use.