10 March 2026
Marjaan Khatam Food Laboratory proudly announces that in the latest round of the Proficiency Test (PT) conducted at the international level, it has successfully achieved acceptable results in compliance with the requirements of international standards. This achievement reflects the continuity of laboratory service quality, the accuracy of measurement results, and the technical competence of this organization in performing specialized food testing.
What is a Proficiency Test (PT) and Why Is It Important?
The Proficiency Test (PT) is one of the most reputable methods for evaluating laboratory performance at national and international levels, conducted by independent bodies in accordance with the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17043 standard.
In this process, samples containing specified levels of contaminants or target compounds are sent to participating laboratories and the obtained results, after testing, are statistically analyzed by the organizing body.
The outcome of this evaluation indicates that:
- The level of precision and accuracy of the laboratory’s measurements
- The extent to which the reported results correspond to the true value of the sample
- The degree to which laboratory data are reliable and defensible
Achieving an acceptable result in a PT is considered one of the key indicators of the scientific and technical credibility of laboratories and plays a decisive role in assessments conducted by accreditation bodies.
Successful Participation of Marjaan Khatam in the International Proficiency Test
In October 2025, Marjaan Khatam Food Laboratory participated in the international Proficiency Test held in Italy in the following fields:
- Determination of aflatoxins
- Determination of ochratoxin A
- Determination of pesticide residues
The results of this test were announced in January 2026, and Marjaan Khatam Laboratory succeeded in:
In the mycotoxins section (aflatoxins and ochratoxin), among 107 international laboratories, and in the pesticide residue section, among 62 international laboratories, obtaining an acceptable score.
Acceptance Criteria in the Test
The assigned code of Marjaan Khatam Laboratory in this test was T066.
According to the Proficiency Test evaluation criteria, achieving a Z-Score between +2 and −2 is considered indicative of acceptable performance and conformity of the results with the reference value.
The officially published report indicates that the results submitted by Marjaan Khatam Laboratory were within the acceptable range, and the technical performance of the organization has been confirmed.
Documentation and Evidence
For the purpose of transparency and providing valid documentation, the images and official reports of the Proficiency Test, including the following, have been uploaded:
- Image of the laboratory code (T066)
- Official PT report related to the results of the mycotoxins test
- Official PT report related to the results of the pesticide residue test
These documents demonstrate the conformity of the laboratory results with international criteria and confirm the accurate performance of the equipment and test methods.
In addition, in previous years, Marjaan Khatam Food Laboratory participated in the international PT in October 2023 in the field of pesticide residues and successfully obtained an acceptable score.
- Image of the laboratory code (231)
- Official PT report related to the results of the pesticide residue test
Commitment of Marjaan Khatam to Quality and Reliability of Results
Marjaan Khatam Food Laboratory, holding ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and maintaining continuous participation in national and international Proficiency Tests, consistently moves forward in enhancing quality, accuracy of results, and customer confidence.
Regular participation in PT programs is part of the quality assurance policies of this organization and ensures that the results provided to manufacturers, exporters, and regulatory authorities are defensible and reliable.