FOOD TESTING & ANALYSIS
(NABL ACCREDITED AND FSSAI APPROVED LAB)
CVR LABS
A LEADING FOOD TESTING & ANALYSIS LAB
In the current food industry, with food safety and quality as more vital topics than ever, the trust of consumers is extremely important. CVR Labs emphasizes the importance of observance of this responsibility. We provide a comprehensive range of food testing services, this set of food tests aims at ensuring FBOs (Food Business Operators) can protect consumers. CVR Labs, a leading food testing laboratory in Chennai, India, is associated with A&B Labs in Houston, USA, which is one of the most certified and accredited laboratories in the United States.
CVR Labs is an NABL-accredited and FSSAI-approved lab, ensuring adherence to the highest standards for food safety testing. We are committed to equipping you with the appropriate resources and assistance to handle the intricacies of the food safety laws and assure the quality of your food products from the farm to the consumer.
WHAT WE OFFERED
CVR Labs Food Testing Services
Food testing labs provide a wide range of services to ensure that food products are safe, high-quality, and compliant with legal standards. These services cater to manufacturers, retailers, exporters, and consumers who need assurance about the food they produce, sell, or consume. Below is an in-depth exploration of the most common services offered by food testing labs:
Microbial Testing
Microbial testing is essential to detect harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, and mold that can cause foodborne illnesses or spoilage. This service helps identify contaminants like:
- Pathogens: Including Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter.
- Spoilage Organisms: Such as molds and yeasts that reduce shelf life and product quality.
Techniques Used: Plate culture methods to grow and identify microorganisms. Advanced techniques like Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for rapid detection.
Importance: Prevents outbreaks of foodborne illnesses and ensures compliance with food safety standards like HACCP and FSMA.
Nutritional Analysis
This service verifies the accuracy of nutritional claims on food packaging. Labs analyze food for:
- Macronutrients: Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and fiber.
- Micronutrients: Vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron.
- Caloric Value: The energy provided per serving.
Why It Matters: Ensures that nutritional labels are accurate and compliant with regulatory guidelines, helping consumers make informed dietary choices.
Allergen Testing
Food allergens pose serious risks to individuals with sensitivities. Allergen testing detects trace amounts of allergenic substances, including:
- Common Allergens: Peanuts, gluten, soy, dairy, shellfish, and eggs.
- Hidden Allergens: Cross-contamination during production.
Techniques Used: ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and DNA-Based Methods for allergen detection.
Significance: Protects consumers with food allergies and prevents legal and reputational risks associated with undeclared allergens.
Contaminant Testing
This service ensures that food is free from harmful substances, which may enter during farming, processing, or packaging. Contaminants tested include:
- Heavy Metals: Lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium.
- Pesticide Residues: Chemicals used in farming that can remain on produce.
- Chemical Additives: Preservatives, dyes, or flavor enhancers beyond safe limits.
- Toxins: Mycotoxins from mold or biotoxins in seafood.
Benefits: Ensures compliance with regulatory limits for contaminants and protects public health by identifying and removing unsafe products.
Shelf Life Testing (Real time & Accelerated Shelf-life Testing)
Shelf life testing determines how long a product remains safe, nutritious, and palatable under specified storage conditions.
- Microbial Stability: How long before spoilage occurs.
- Nutritional Integrity: Retention of nutrients over time.
- Physical and Sensory Attributes: Taste, texture, and appearance.
Applications: Helps manufacturers set accurate "use by" or "best before" dates, and ensures customer satisfaction by maintaining product quality.
Label Verification
Regulatory authorities require that food labels accurately reflect the product's contents. Label verification involves:
- Ingredient Confirmation: Ensuring all ingredients listed are present and accurately quantified.
- Allergen Declarations: Verifying allergen disclosures on packaging.
- Nutritional Information: Checking calorie, fat, sugar, and other nutritional values.
Why It’s Critical: Ensures transparency for consumers and avoids penalties for non-compliance with labeling laws.
Food Additive Analysis
Testing labs analyze food for the presence of legally approved additives such as:
- Preservatives: To prolong shelf life.
- Emulsifiers: For texture improvement.
- Artificial Sweeteners: To replace sugar without adding calories.
Key Benefits: Confirms that additives are within permissible limits and detects unauthorized or harmful additives.
GMO Testing
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are controversial in many regions. Labs test for GMOs in food and agricultural products to:
- Verify claims of "non-GMO" products.
- Comply with labeling regulations in regions where GMOs are restricted.
Testing Methods: DNA analysis using PCR to identify genetically modified sequences.
Food Packaging Testing
Packaging plays a crucial role in food safety and quality. Testing labs analyze:
- Material Safety: Ensuring that packaging materials do not leach harmful chemicals into food.
- Barrier Properties: Testing resistance to moisture, air, and light.
- Integrity: Verifying seals and closures to prevent contamination.
Importance: Maintains product quality during storage and transportation and complies with food contact material regulations.
Benefits of Comprehensive Food Testing Services
- Consumer Confidence: A tested and certified product reassures consumers of its safety and quality.
- Regulatory Compliance: Helps manufacturers avoid penalties and recalls.
- Market Access: Opens doors to international markets with strict food safety standards.
Food testing labs are indispensable partners for ensuring food safety and quality in today’s complex supply chain. Their expertise and technology protect public health while fostering trust and compliance in the food industry.
CVR Labs Food Testing & Analysis Parameters
| TEST | TESTING PARAMETERS | FOOD ITEMS TESTED | TESTING EQUIPMENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTING | TPC (Total Plate Count), Coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Yeast & Mold | Meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, processed foods, and ready-to-eat foods | Automated Colony Counters, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Systems. |
| CHEMICAL TESTING | Pesticides, Heavy Metals, Mycotoxins, Drug Residues of Animal Origin, Food Allergens (e.g., peanuts, gluten, soy, milk, eggs, tree nuts, fish, shellfish). | All the food products with an ingredient-based focus (for example, fruits & vegetables to detect pesticide residues). | Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometers (ICP-MS), Gas Chromatographs coupled with Mass Spectrometers (GC-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatographs (HPLC), ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) Readers. |
| NUTRITIONAL TESTING | Low Calorie, Proximate Analysis (moisture, protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash, fiber), Vitamins, Minerals, Sugars, Fatty Acids | All food articles, especially those that are labeled with the health claims or specific formulations of particular products. | Kjeldahl Analyzers, Moisture Analyzers, Fat Extraction Equipment, Fiber Analyzers, Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (AAS), Vitamin Analyzers (HPLC with UV/Vis or Fluorescence Detectors). |
| SHELF LIFE TESTING | Checking Microbiological Development, Chemical Analysis, and Sensory Evaluation. | All food products, particularly, those exhibiting a finite shelf life or being new formulations should no longer be preserved. | Microbiological Incubators, Environmental Chambers, Sensory Evaluation Booths (controlled for temperature and lighting), Chemical Analysis Equipment (as mentioned previously in Chemical Testing) |
| SENSORY EVALUATION | Appearance, Aroma, Flavors (the nature of tastes, their balance, and aftertaste), and Texture. | All food products from new product development, improvement, or fresh food products. | Sensory Booths, Trained Sensory Panels. |
Comprehensive Food Testing & Analysis Services
- Oil, Fat and related Products Testing
- Poultry Feeds Testing
- Egg and Egg Products Testing
- Meat and Meat Products Testing
- Pesticides and Anti-biotic Residues Analysis
- Trace Metal Analysis
- Nutrition Labling
- Microbial Challenge Studies
- Food adulteration
- All Food Products(Raw, Processed, Finished, Canned, Tinned etc.,)
- Food additives and Flavours Analysis
- Alcoholic Drinks and Beverages Analysis
- Drinking Water and packaged drinking water Testing
CONTACT CVR Labs today to schedule your needed analytical services or to learn more about our laboratory.
