Press Releases
VICAM TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HONORED FOR ANALYTICAL PROFICIENCY
Collaborative department work earns several AOCS Smalley Awards
Watertown, MA (August 15, 2000) — Accurate analytical techniques and equipment are becoming more important to the food safety industry every day as government regulations tighten and countries rely increasingly on a globally interdependent food supply. VICAM is proud to announce the recognition of their Technical Services department for participation in the AOCS Smalley Awards Program for analytical proficiency. Using VICAM’s patented aflatoxin test kit, AflaTest®, department members earned two honorable mentions in the 1999-2000 series for their accuracy analyzing samples of peanut paste and corn meal contaminated with aflatoxin. Since 1992, the department, headed by Technical Services Manager Nancy Zabe, has received sixteen honorable mentions and won two first place prizes for analytical excellence in the determination of aflatoxin.
About AOCS
The American Oil Chemists’ Society began in 1909 as a forum for
the exchange of ideas and information relating to oil and fat chemistry.
AOCS currently consists of more than 5,400 members from 108 countries
around the world. The organization consists of 11 divisions, allowing
members with similar interests to better connect with each other as well
as develop programs tailored to cover the areas of study surrounding
oils and fats. AOCS publishes 4 monthly journals that are distributed
to more than 100 countries and has conducted 32 conferences around the
world in addition to their annual meetings, short courses, and symposia.
The organization offers numerous technical services including: official
methods and recommended practices, a laboratory proficiency program,
an approved chemist program, certified laboratory and custom certification
programs, reference samples, and technical support.
The AOCS Smalley Program
The foundation for the Smalley Awards program was established early in
the 20th century by Dr. Frank Smalley. Smalley initially
set up a cooperative system to check the efficiency of chemists working
for him at the Southern Cotton Oil Co. Each week his chemists were
given identical samples of cottonseed meal to analyze. The results
enabled Smalley to continually track the chemists’ performance
as well as ensure accurate analysis in commercial samples. Soon chemists
in other laboratories were contacting Dr. Smalley to participate in
the program and gauge the accuracy of their own laboratories.
The American Oil Chemists’ Society began sponsoring the program in 1915 with Dr. Smalley as head of the Uniform Methods Committee. Chemists working for state and federal institutions were also participating in the program by this point, and in 1918 the decision was made to provide awards to chemists excelling in analysis. Today over 500 chemists collaborate to analyze 35 different sample series. Results are given to the chairperson of the Examination Board and used to determine the competency of candidates for approved chemist and laboratory certification.
About VICAM
VICAM, a world leader in agricultural biotechnology and bioseparations,
delivers improved animal reproductivity, increased agricultural productivity,
and safeguarded food quality with patented bioseparations and detection
products worldwide. Their products include detection, measurement,
and separations technologies for veterinary reproductive applications,
foodborne carcinogens, and living cells. To date, VICAM has applied
its technologies to 18 products and 3 prototypes. VICAM supports a
global scientific and distribution presence to develop, market, sell,
and service their products in 98 countries worldwide. For more information,
contact Jennifer Smith at VICAM, 313 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA
02472 U.S.A.
All VICAM products are protected by worldwide patents and trademarks.
Contact:
Jennifer Smith
Manager of Corporate Communications
VICAM
Tel: +1.617.926.7045
Fax: +1.617.923.8055