ISO 23822:2026

Overview

ISO 23822:2026 – Eggs and egg products – Determination of nitroimidazole residues - Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method sets out an internationally harmonized procedure for quantifying nitroimidazole residues in eggs and egg-derived products using LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). Developed under ISO/TC 34/SC 6, this standard ensures food safety compliance and supports quality assurance for eggs and egg products (including fresh, frozen, pasteurized, and powdered formats). Implementing ISO 23822:2026 enables laboratories and regulatory authorities to reliably detect and confirm the presence of nitroimidazole residues, ensuring that products meet legal and safety requirements.

Key Topics

• Nitroimidazole Residues: This standard covers the determination of several nitroimidazole compounds, including metronidazole, dimetridazole, ronidazole, ipronidazole, and their hydroxy derivatives-substances of concern due to their banned or limited use in food-producing animals.
• Applicability: Applicable to a wide range of egg and egg product matrices:
  • Whole eggs (fresh, frozen, pasteurized)
  • Egg yolk and white (liquid, frozen, dried, pasteurized)
  • Egg powders (whole, yolk, white)
  • Albumin preparations
• Sample Preparation: Detailed protocols for homogenizing, reconstituting, and storing test samples to minimize alterations and maintain integrity.
• Analytical Method: Outlines the full LC-MS/MS workflow, including:
  • Extraction using acetonitrile
  • Purification with solid-phase extraction cartridges
  • Analytical separation via HPLC and detection by mass spectrometry
  • Use of isotope-labelled internal standards for quantification
• Validation and Performance: Specifies method sensitivity with defined limits of detection (0.4 µg/kg) and quantification (1.0 µg/kg), and includes collaborative data on precision (coefficient of variation < 20%).
• Reporting Requirements: Ensures clear documentation of results, sampling, and any deviations from the procedure.

Applications

The ISO 23822:2026 standard is directly applicable to:

• Food Safety Laboratories: Assists in routine monitoring and regulatory surveillance of eggs and egg-based ingredients for unauthorized nitroimidazole residues.
• Food Industry Quality Control: Supports internal quality checks for producers, processors, and exporters, ensuring that egg products comply with international residue limits and trade requirements.
• Regulatory Authorities: Enables enforcement of residue legislation and facilitates international trade by harmonizing residue detection protocols.
• Research and Development: Provides a validated method for studying residue depletion, validating new egg-based matrices, and supporting development of alternative analytical techniques.

By establishing a standardized approach to nitroimidazole residue determination in eggs, ISO 23822:2026 promotes consumer confidence, helps prevent food fraud, and supports public health initiatives against the misuse of veterinary drugs.

Related Standards

• ISO 3696: Water for analytical laboratory use - Specification and test methods (referenced for reagent preparation).
• CAC/GL 50-2004: General Guidelines on Sampling (recommended for collecting representative egg samples).
• ISO 5725-2: 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.

These related standards ensure compatibility with recognized laboratory practices and global food safety frameworks. For further guidance on veterinary drug residue testing in food, consult sector-specific ISO and Codex standards.

Keywords: ISO 23822, nitroimidazole residues, eggs, egg products, LC-MS/MS, food safety, residue analysis, metronidazole, regulatory compliance, standard method, food testing, laboratory methods, international food standards, analytical chemistry.