Data Dictionary for Total Diet Study Trace Elements Results

% Recovery	Used as a measure of analytical method quality control.  It is the ability (expressed in percent) of the method to measure a known amount of analyte added to a test portion of sample prior to analysis. 
Analysis Completion Date	The date that the analytical result was determined to be complete, accurate, valid and fit for dissemination by the submitting organization.	

Analyte Group		A group of chemicals or compounds that the analyte belongs to.

Analyte Name		The name or abbreviation for the element that was measured.

Basis for Result	Whether the sample analytical result is based on dry weight, wet weight, as consumed, or fat content.

Food Group		The general group of foods which best includes the specific food being analysed.  

Food Name		The specific, non-branded, food name.

HC FD BCS FRD Trace Elements	Health Canada, Food Directorate, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Research Division, Trace Elements
	
Instrumentation		The specific equipment used to analyse a sample.

Lab Name		The laboratory where the sample was analysed.

LOD, LOQ		LOD: The limit of detection (LOD) is defined as the lowest concentration that is statistically different from a blank

			LOQ: The limit of quantification  (LOQ) is defined as the level above which quantitative results may be obtained. 

Method Comments		Any comments related to the methodology and testing of the sample.

ng/g			nanogram per gram

Product Description	Additional information about the food product or explanation of visual characteristics of the food product. Some projects use this field to capture other sample identifiers (such as Total Diet Study or Originating Lab ID numbers).	

Project Code		The project identifier used within CANLINE.

Quality Assurance	Whether the test method used has received official accreditation, successfully participated in proficiency tests or used only QA and reference standards.

Result Comments		Comments can be recorded for each individual test result.

Result Operator		The operator in front of the numerical result value for a test result: =, <LOD/MDL, or ND. Where both <LOD/MDL (below the Limit of Detection/Method Detection Limit) and ND (Not Detected) mean the results are below the method limit. 

Result Value		Quantitative/numerical result of the analysis. When results are below the method limit, the results will be shown as “0" with either <LOD/MDL or ND (Not Detected) as the result operator.

Sample Code		An alphanumeric or other unique designation assigned to the sample of a food product to distinctly identify it.

Sample Collection Date		The particular point in time when a sample is collected by a sampler for testing or analysis.

Sample Type		Whether the food sample is a single item or a composite from a standard recipe.

Sampling Location City Name	The city where the food item was purchased.

Sampling Location Country	The country where the food item was purchased.

Sampling Location Province	The province/territory where the food item was purchased.

Sampling Location Type		The type of vendor, for example, grocery store or restaurant where the food item was purchased.

Test Method Name, Test Method Code 	The full name and code by which an analytical method has been referred to.

Units of measurement	The unit for the result value as well as the method limits (LOD, LOQ, MDL).