MilkChek
LipidChek
WaterTest
FertChek
MaizeChek
Home Company Info Team Info Contact Us
DairyChek ILCP

Programme Description
The DairyChek ILCP programme has been developed over many years to provide proficiency samples to cover the range of internationally traded Dairy Products.

Schedule & Samples Description
Proficiency samples in the DairyChek Programme are despatched each month, with different product groups despatched to different schedules:

  • Butter Chemistry - Monthly
  • Butter Microbiology - Alternate months
  • Milk Powder Chemistry - Alternate months
  • Milk Powder Microbiology - Alternate months
  • Milk Powder Functional Testing - 4 per year
  • Vitamins, Micronutrients - 4 per year
  • Anhydrous Milkfat Chemistry (AMF) - Alternate months
  • Cheese Chemistry - Alternate months
  • Cheese Microbiology - Alternate months
  • Casein Chemistry - Alternate months
  • Casein Microbiology - Alternate months
  • Caseinate Chemistry - Alternate months
  • Caseinate Microbiology - Alternate months
  • Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) Chemistry - Alternate months
  • Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) Microbiology - Alternate months
  • Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC) - Alternate months

Performance Reporting & Evaluation
Participants are given 14 calendar days to analyse samples and return results. Reports are e-mailed within 3 working days. By working to a predetermined timeline, all laboratories' results can be pooled and statistically processed, with very quick turn-around time.

The reports provide information about the data pool of participating laboratories, the individual laboratory result as compared to the Assigned (Median) Value, a histogram showing distribution of all data, and a run chart for tracking historical performance. The statistics used are a robust, well-proven approach.

A rating is given as an interpretation of performance, using set criteria based on a normalised difference value, and bias. A score of Good, OK or Alert is issued for every test.

Annually we prepare an industry summary report. This includes a review of the summarised data for each test for reproducibility, occurrence of outliers, appropriateness of performance limits, and any testing issues that may have arisen (methodology influence). We also prepare summarised individual laboratory reports.

Secondary Reference Samples
A range of reference materials are available with known data values, prepared from the datasets of the Proficiency Testing. These are used by laboratories as a benchmark for internal quality control and training.

Timetable - 2007/2008

Month
Samples Received
Into Lab
Micro Testing Commenced By
Results Due
to PSL by 5pm
Reports Sent
June 2007

Tues 12

Thur 14

Tues 26

Fri 29

July

Tues 17

Thur 19

Tues 31

Fri 3 Aug

August

Tues 14

Thur 16

Tues 28

Fri 31

September

Tues 11

Thur 13

Tues 25

Fri 28

October

Tues 16

Thur 18

Tues 30

Fri 2 Nov

November

Tues 13

Thur 15

Tues 27

Fri 30

December

Thurs 6

Fri 7

Tues 18

Fri 21

January 2008

Thurs 10

Fri 11

Tues 29*

Fri 1 Feb

February

Thurs 14

Fri 15

Tues 28

Tues 5 Mar

March

Tues 11

Thur 13

Tues 25

Fri 28

April

Thurs 10

Fri 11

Tues 29*

Fri 2 May

May

Tues 13

Thur 15

Tues 27

Fri 30

June

Tues 10

Thur 12

Tues 24

Fri 27

July

Tues 15

Thur 17

Tues 29

Fri 1 Aug

August

Tues 12

Thur 14

Tues 26

Fri 29

September

Tues 9

Thur 11

Tues 23

Fri 26

October

Tues 14

Thur 16

Tues 28

Fri 31

November

Tues 11

Thur 13

Tues 25

Fri 28

December

Thurs 4

Fri 5

Thurs 18

Tues 23

* Extended by part week