ANALYSIS
‘PORTAL’ which is a cloud-based platform developed by LGC PT and enables quick, easy input of data, access to reports and review of historic performance. The report for each PT round compares the performance of each participant with the other laboratories in the scheme. For quantitative data, par- ticipants are assessed on the difference between their result and the assigned value; this difference is represented by a performance score called the z score. Z scores of two or less indicate satisfactory performance, while values of three or more indicate unsatisfactory results. Results between these values indicate questionable performance. For the sensory samples, quanti- tative results are based on a scale of zero (not detected) to nine (intense) and results are compared with the other individual tasters, other taste panels and with the Campden BRI sensory panel. How do brewers use the data from BAPS? On the 25 th anniversary of the scheme a survey was conducted to determine how BAPS participants use the results from the scheme and the bene ts they realise from taking part. The survey targeted the 11 members of the BAPS Advisory Group, who summarised the following main uses of the results: COMPARISON: Most companies use the results to identify tests where good performance is not achieved, compared to other participants in the scheme, enabling them to take action to improve processes and procedures. Speci cally, for the microbiology scheme, most participants use the scheme to compare their performance with other laboratories at a basic level (e.g. bacteria or yeast), 70% compared performance at intermediate level (e.g. lactic acid bac- teria) and 50% at advanced level (e.g. lactobacillus brevis). Many also used the results to test the overall systems for the aseptic handling of micro-organisms in their laboratories. Results from the sensory sample were used to compare quali- tative and quantitative performance of their panel and their individual tasters with other panels, other tasters and with the Campden BRI panel. TRAINING: BAPS was also seen as an effective tool for training – par- ticularly for checking the performance of newly-trained staff. 73% used the results to identify the need for retraining of analysts and/or to evaluate the effec- tiveness of the training provided.
BAPS was also seen as an effective tool for training – particularly for checking the performance of newly-trained staff.
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SUBCONTRACTING: The scheme also had bene ts for companies involved in subcontract brewing and/or packaging; BAPS was used as way of ensuring that the results from the labo- ratories on multiple sites were aligned with each other, as well as with the rest of the brewing industry. COMPLIANCE: Compliance also featured as a bene t. Taking part in PT schemes can help meet the require- ments of standards such as the BRC Global Standard for Food Safety. Clause 5.6.2.4 of the standard requires proce- dures to be in place to ensure reliability of laboratory results, including the use of a system to verify the accuracy of results (e.g. by ring trials or pro ciency testing). For breweries, BAPS provided an ideal means of achieving this. On the 25 th anniversary of the scheme, it was reassuring to see that it is still delivering the outcomes for brewers
which were originally intended. But what happens next?
The future Changes in technology and consumer demand, with new products constantly emerging, means that the scheme will need to continue to evolve. BAPS will need to keep up with new products and with the different analytical tests required to ensure the quality of these different products. Listening to the needs of brew- ers and adapting to those needs is essential. The BAPS Advisory Group is keen to hear from brewers on how the scheme could help them better meet their needs or to suggest new analyses from which they and the industry will bene t. For more information on the Brewing Analytes Pro ciency Scheme go to the LGC website at www.lgcstandards.com
november 2019 I BREWER AND DISTILLER INTERNATIONAL ● 55
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