Certified reference, intercomparison, performance evaluation and emergency preparedness exercise materials for radionuclides in food

The threat to global security from terrorist attack does not solely arise from illicit use of firearms, explosives or weapons of mass destruction. Terrorist threats will inevitably become more subtle as information and expertise is acquired by terrorist groups, and one vulnerable area is food and the food supply chain. Many laboratories, especially in countries with nuclear programmes, are involved in the routine monitoring of foodstuffs, and will be required to respond with increased food monitoring necessary for ensuring food safety and protecting public health after real (or perceived) contamination of food by either accidental or illicit means. This paper examines the needs for reference and performance testing materials that were identified at an international workshop to discuss this matter held at NIST in 2008, and further refined at a follow-up workshop in 2009.