Why not to trust household nitrate-testers

To understand all about nitrate-testers, it is sufficient to refer to three information sources: the user to device, the official website of the manufacturer and to the unified sanitary-epidemiological requirements of the Customs Union (this document reglementary the concentration of nitrates in foods, and not the one specified on the website and in the instructions).

Careful reading of the instructions immediately puts all points over "i": on page 9 says: "... the result is estimated and cannot be a substitute for quantitative chemical analysis in specialized laboratories". That is, the manufacturer quite openly, in the middle of the instructions that nobody reads, says that the testimony of the exemplary devices. This is also evidenced by page 10 – measurement error 30% (unfortunately, the data of the Institute of consumer tests RIPI talking about the fact that the error can reach 1000%). That is, the manufacturer suggests that the instrument readings to the trust is not necessary, but makes it hidden, intentionally diverting consumers ' attention from the facts with lots of pictures of diplomas who have received their product. However, if you look carefully, these awards for participation in the contest or packaging design. Already being in possession of these facts, some people will want to contact the manufacturer with a complaint and demands to return the spent on the unit money, but the manufacturer will say that you properly investigated, because on page 20 paragraph 4 of the probe device had alcohol wipe. Alcohol is forbidden for open sale, and most users of the device it is not there, and even if there is, then who will not spend such nonsense?

That is the claim you will be denied. But all is not lost, the most interesting is written on page 21 is Mac for nitrates. Until recently the quality of food was regulated by sanitary rules and norms, but after the organization of the Customs Union entered into force on the Unified sanitary-epidemiological requirements of the Customs Union. So, in most of these common requirements, as well, and in Sunpine, standards for nitrates on fruit just yet. The manufacturer of the device they took from the ceiling!

"Home tester showed the concentration of nitrates in watermelon 120 mg/kg, which is two times higher than normal. In the laboratory it was found that the concentration of nitrates in the same watermelon equal to 6 mg/kg. it Turns out that the error amounted to 2000%".

Even if you close your eyes to the fact that it is a misrepresentation of the consumer, it would be possible to take for example the arithmetic mean of the MPC, but look in SanPiN: the Mac of nitrates in onions – 80 potatoes – 250, 900 cabbages, and radishes generally 1500 mg/kg. That is, the spread is huge and even roughly estimate how much nitrate should be in apples or cherries, we can't. And the manufacturer somehow managed to do it.

Even more interesting was when I went to the website of the manufacturer. Particularly impressed by the study of a certain Tver Institute, which showed that the device is absolutely wonderful and honest. I am a person boring and re-read the document several times. Everything was very simple: in the header of the document, small handwriting, in brackets, the phrase "outside the scope of the accreditation." Arrived. The Institute to conduct such research may not, but does, and the manufacturer of the device does not hesitate to put more than doubtful data on the website, hoping that the buyer still does not grasp the meaning.

To us it does not matter that shows similar devices, we just want to be sure that you sell quality products, so periodically we do a study of vegetables and watermelons (they, like melons, Sunpine is). Research is conducted in an accredited laboratory of test laboratory of center FBUZ "Center of hygiene and epidemiology in Moscow". No study showed no excess of MPC for all investigated parameters, including nitrates. Moreover, as the study of the watermelon directly in the laboratory, household nitrate-tester showed a nitrate concentration of 120 mg/kg, i.e. a two-fold excess of the norm. In the laboratory study revealed that nitrate concentration equal to 6 mg/kg.

I'm not good with math, but it turns out that the error amounted to 2000%. We also bought these devices, and also very surprised to see the excess. Came the negativity and distrust of farmers, but after the above analysis of the situation everything fell into place. Do not fall for marketing gimmicks, as it once did and we do.

Health officer LavkaLavka, Kaganovich, D. M.

source: lavkagazeta.com

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