SGS’ Food testing services cover multiple chemical, microbiological, physical and sensory examinations to analyse the safety and quality of food. Safety and quality testing verify product compliance with various regulatory standards.
At every stage of the food supply chain, the company’s food safety testing services help ensure compliance with national and international regulations, as well as company and client-specific standards, governing issues such as pesticide and antibiotic residues, environmental and process contaminants, pathogenic microorganisms, allergens, additives and nutritional content.
Using state-of-the-art food testing laboratory services, SGS can help minimise potential hazards and protect your organisation and brand from unwanted food safety scares, compensation claims and negative publicity.
Food contamination
The effect of food contamination on consumer health varies dramatically depending on the contaminant. Preventing tainted ingredients and products reaching the consumer is paramount.
SGS’ testing laboratories provide a wide range of parameters to analyse the compliance of food products or ingredients. Moreover, we continue to invest in developing world-class testing capabilities. This is vital in the ongoing battle against food contaminants, which are constantly evolving. SGS tests for a wide range of restricted substances including:
- Allergens
- Animal and plant species identification
- Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
- Food fraud
- Genetically modified organisms (GMO)
- Heavy metals
- Mycotoxins
- Packaging migration
- Pesticides
- Process contaminants (such as acrylamide, 3-MCPD, PAH)
- Veterinary drug residues
With expertise in all food segments, SGS has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the legislation and voluntary agreements that regulate restricted substances in food products.
Microbiology
Testing for pathogens and spoilage organisms can ensure the safety of food products along the supply chain. Functional microbes must also be monitored during production and in the final product. Testing helps you to assess the safety and efficacy of ingredients, semi-manufactured foods, final products and processes. You can trust SGS’ food microbiological testing to detect potentially dangerous pathogens, spoilage organisms and functional bacteria. Our food microbiological analysis services include classical and rapid pathogen testing, hygiene indicator testing, virus testing and functional food testing.
Nutrition and composition
Food nutrition analysis determines the nutritional content of food and food products, supports product claims and ensures compliance. Our methodology recommendations ensure that any food nutrition analysis performed complies with the intended destination market. The company’s nutritional and composition tests include:
- Proximate analysis
- Fats
- Food additives such as colourants, flavours and sweeteners
- Vitamins
- Minerals and trace elements
Physical and sensory testing
Food sensory evaluation and physical tests ensure that products and packaging are free from defects and contamination. It can also measure and interpret human responses based on sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. This is an important aspect of product development and marketing, as it offers insight into consumer behaviour and quality assurance.
Tailored testing programmes
All SGS’ food testing services may be conducted alone or in combination, as verification of findings collected during audits and product inspections. The company’s food testing experts can devise a programme of testing and analysis to meet your specific requirements.
