The American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) Check Sample Program is an initiative that aims to foster analytical excellence within global spice industry laboratories. The program strengthens laboratory credibility and promotes high levels of accuracy within and among laboratories using standard analytical test methods for spices and herbs. It is designed to allow spice laboratories to evaluate their performance for a common range of analyses for spices significant to the spice trade. It also allows individual laboratories to evaluate their performance against industry standards, providing an opportunity for continuous learning and improvement.

Registering for the ASTA Check Sample Program is a straightforward process that begins with selecting from the options available for the year. For 2024, participating labs can choose from:

• Red Pepper Chemistry – HPLC Heat, ASTA Color, Water Activity
• Black Pepper Chemistry – Volatile Oil, Moisture, Piperine, Water Activity
• Oregano Chemistry – Total Ash, Acid Insoluble Ash, Moisture, Volatile Oil, Water

Sign up to participate in the 2024 program by January 25. Late registration may be available, contact [email protected] for more information.

If you are a member, please remember to log in as a member while ordering to receive the member rate.

The ASTA Check Sample Program is not just a testing platform—it is a community of laboratories committed to ensuring the highest levels of accuracy in their testing procedures. By participating in this program, laboratories have the opportunity to compare their performance with peers, identify areas for improvement, and ensure their testing aligns with industry standards.

A key component of the Check Sample Program is the use of ASTA’s Official Analytical Methods. These methods provide a uniform way to measure results within and among laboratories, thereby promoting consistency and accuracy in analyses. 

Open to both members and non-members worldwide, the program is administered in four rounds annually. Participants receive samples, instructions, and data reporting forms with each shipment, ensuring they have all the resources needed to participate effectively in the program. All studies are open for thirty days, during which all participants may enter their data via a secure online data entry website. 

The ASTA Check Sample Program is administered by BIPEA, a scientific and independent nonprofit organization that provides proficiency testing programs and external reference materials for testing laboratories that are concerned with quality control and analytical accuracy. 

You will also be provided with a secure login to the BIPEA member area. This is where you will access all the necessary information about the program, submit your results, and view comparisons with other labs.

Once registered, your laboratory will receive a shipment every quarter. Each shipment includes samples, instructions, and data reporting forms. You will have 30 days from the BIPEA shipping date to enter your data via the secure online data entry website.

Please note that participating in the ASTA Check Sample Program requires the use of ASTA’s Analytical Methods Manual. ASTA members can download individual methods for free or purchase a hard copy of the manual at the member rate. Non-members can purchase the manual at the non-member rate.

When the submission period has closed, BIPEA will begin statistical treatment. Each participant will receive two reports: an individual report and a global report, which includes the results of all participating labs.