In this section:
Application Areas
Food-Chain Statistical Services can provide expert statistical advice in the following areas.
You can make use of our statistical expertise in food research through short-term consultancy projects or ongoing support contracts.
Acceptance Sampling
Acceptance sampling is an area of statistics which deals with sampling frameworks that are used to detect unacceptable levels of defects or non-conformities. For example, these include sampling plans to detect:
- presence of micro-organisms, such as Salmonella
- unacceptable levels of micro-organisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes
- presence of disease (import/export certification, e.g. of fruit and vegetables)
- non-compliance with the Food Standards Code
Surveillance Programs and Surveys
Surveillance programs are used by Government agencies to investigate compliance with the Food Standards Code or other legislation. In addition, regulatory authorities use surveys to benchmark industry sectors and products with respect to levels of microbiological and chemical contamination.
In these instances it is important to understand the variables of interest and incorporate product pathways and potential sources of variability. Statistical design of such surveys can help you achieve your aims while minimising costs.
Statistical Process Control (SPC)
Statistical process control deals with the monitoring of processes and using statistics to determine when processes are in control and when they are not. We can design an SPC program which can help you quickly identify process problems, whether they are physical, chemical or microbiological.
Experimental Design
Experiments are often used to identify and quantify variables that are important for product quality and integrity. Experiments that look at only one variable at a time can be highly inefficient and can lead to misleading results.
We can assist in the design of experiments to investigate many variables at a time for minimum cost while still maintaining the required level of accuracy.
Experiments can also be designed to:
- validate Critical Control Points (CCPs)
- validate the effectiveness of process interventions
- validate performance criteria.
Review of Technical Reports
Technical reports communicate findings of research projects and rely on the correct interpretation of the data. Sometimes the data used to make recommendations is lacking in:
- appropriateness
- representativeness; or
- rigour.
We can assess technical reports for these aspects so that you can be confident in the conclusions.
Training
We can develop and deliver customised statistical training programs to help you build in-house capability.
These training courses can be delivered on- or off-site depending on your facilities and requirements.
