The Dublin Public Analyst’s Laboratory (PAL) is an Official Food Control laboratory within the Health Service Executive (HSE). It is administered by the HSE Dublin/Mid-Leinster. The laboratory provides both a chemical and microbiological analytical service to the HSE Dublin-Mid Leinster and Dublin-North East, equivalent to a population of over 2 million.
Additionally with the full implementation of the agreed PALs specialisation in food chemical testing, the Dublin PAL provides a National service in its wide area of specialised testing.
In addition to the testing of foodstuffs, a substantial number of other sample types are analysed. These include water, cosmetics, clinical, environmental and miscellaneous samples.
The Dublin PAL is unique amongst both PALs and the Official Food Microbiology Laboratories (OFMLs) in providing both chemical analysis and microbiological examination under one roof. This combination allows the laboratory to provide a comprehensive food safety and food quality analytical service. It also facilitates an all-inclusive water analytical service.
Vision
We constantly endeavour to provide all our customers with an excellent service encompassing quality, accuracy and response times.
History
The 1860 Act for Preventing the Adulteration of Articles of Food and Drink established a new Local Authority Official - The Public Analyst. In 1862 Dublin became the third city in these islands, after London and Birmingham, to have a Public Analyst appointed.
Dr. Charles (later Sir Charles) Cameron had an extraordinary long tenure as Dublin Public Analyst from 1862 until 1921.Then Bernard Fagan was Public Analyst from 1921 – 1956, followed by Harold Thorton from 1956 to 1967. Dr. Fergus Hill was Public Analyst for 30 years until 1997 and then Kevin Moyles up until 2005. Dr. Michael O’Sullivan was appointed Public Analyst in 2007.
In the early days the laboratory, then known as the City Laboratory, was located in Castle Street in Dublin. Subsequently it moved to the Cornmarket/Lamb Alley area. In 1996 having outgrown this location it relocated to the former Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital in Lower Grand Canal Street Dublin, where it still resides.
The laboratory has been transformed into a modern food safety facility which plays its full part in ensuring that, with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Environmental Health Service and other agencies, the food available for the Irish consumer is safe and wholesome. |
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The laboratory is accredited to International Standard ISO 17025 "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories". This accreditation is awarded by the Irish National Accreditation Board who conducts an annual surveillance visit to the laboratory.
Accreditation is the formal recognition of a body’s competence to conduct a specific activity such as testing or certification. This recognition is based on a specific series of International and European standards. These standards address critical issues such as competence, impartiality and integrity.
Laboratory Quality System
A laboratory quality system is in operation which supports the managerial and technical requirements of the International Standard ISO 17025. An extensive internal audit programme is in place. This examines the work performed to ensure compliance with the quality system.
Laboratory Quality Policy
- The management of the laboratory is committed to good professional practice and to the quality of the testing in providing a service to our customers.
- Accreditation of the laboratory was awarded by the Irish National Accreditation Board in September 1998. The management of the laboratory is committed to maintaining and extending the scope of accreditation.
- The objective of the quality system is to achieve and maintain a high standard of quality in all aspects of the work of the Laboratory.
- It is the responsibility of all personnel concerned with testing activities within the laboratory to familiarise themselves with the quality documentation and to implement the policies and procedures in their work.
- The management of the laboratory is committed to compliance with the International Standard ISO 17025 "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories".
EU National Reference Laboratory
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Under Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 EU Member States are required to designate National Reference Laboratories (NRL) for each Community Reference Laboratory referred to in Article 32 of the Regulation, as amended.
In 2006 this laboratory was appointed EU National Reference Laboratory for mycotoxins, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Food Contact Materials in foodstuffs. This is an important achievement for the laboratory and it is a recognition of our proven competence and expertise, which is due entirely to the high standard of work and dedication of our staff.
The Cork Public Analyst Laboratory was appointed NRL for heavy metals.
The responsibilities of a NRL include:
In accordance with Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 each National Reference Laboratory, shall:
- Collaborate with the Community reference laboratory in their area of competence;
- Co-ordinate, for their area of competence, the activities of official laboratories responsible for the analysis of samples in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004.
- Where appropriate, organise comparative tests between the official national laboratories and ensure an appropriate follow-up of such comparative testing;
- Ensure the dissemination to the Authority and official national laboratories of information that the Community reference laboratory supplies;
- Provide scientific and technical assistance to the Authority for the implementation of coordinated control plans adopted in accordance with Article 53 of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004.
- Be responsible for carrying out other specific duties introduced by the European Commission via the committee procedure referred to in Article 62(3) of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004, without prejudice to existing additional national duties.
