Monitoring the presence and levels of contaminants in food is a key factor in ensuring its safety and quality. Our accredited testing helps confirm compliance with applicable standards. To meet the comprehensive needs of our clients, we have expanded our in-house testing services with analyses performed in partner laboratories.
LEGAL BASIS FOR CONTAMINANTS IN FOOD TESTING
European Union Regulations:
- Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of January 28, 2002 – Establishes general principles and requirements of food law, creates the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and sets out procedures for food safety.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of December 19, 2006 – Sets maximum permissible levels of certain contaminants in foodstuffs, such as heavy metals, dioxins, pesticides, and nitrosamines.
- Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of March 15, 2017 – Concerns official controls, including tests for the presence of contaminants in food products.
TESTING OF HEAVY METALS
Metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic can enter food due to environmental contamination. Regulations define maximum permissible levels of these metals. ANCHEM’s testing services ensure compliance with the maximum permissible levels (MPL) for heavy metals as specified in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006.
ANCHEM Testing Laboratory offers extensive elemental analysis across a variety of matrices, including vegetables, spices, meat, fish, cereals, dairy products, chocolate, and juices.
PESTICIDE TESTING
Pesticides enter food mainly through their use in agriculture to protect crops from pests, diseases, and weeds.
ANCHEM Testing Laboratory provides pesticide residue analysis covering a broad spectrum (around 700 compounds using GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS techniques) for conventional food products and an ECO package tailored for fruits and vegetables from organic farming.
In the European Union, maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides in food are defined in the regularly updated Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and the Council.
We also offer analysis of individual compounds, including:
- dithiocarbamates,
- chlorates and perchlorates,
- chlormequat,
- mepiquat,
- aluminium phosphide and phosphonic acid,
- ethephon,
- glyphosate.
MYCOTOXIN TESTING
Mycotoxins are toxic, naturally occurring substances produced by moulds that can grow in food stored under improper conditions. Maximum allowable levels of mycotoxins are defined in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006.
ANCHEM’s analytical offer includes analyses the following mycotoxins:
- aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2),
- deoxynivalenol,
- ochratoxin A,
- zearalenone,
- T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin,
- fumonisins,
- patulin.
ANCHEM Testing Laboratory also offers a range of additional tests allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of products, including:
- RESIDUES OF ANTIBIOTICS AND CHEMOTHERAPEUTICS – the presence of these substances in animal products such as milk, eggs, and meat can negatively affect consumer health.
- DIOXINS AND POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs) testing – these compounds can accumulate in fats and are regulated due to their toxicity.
- POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs) analysis – formed during smoking, grilling, or frying, PAHs are regulated by EU regulations.
- ACRYLAMIDE testing – formed in starchy products during heat treatment. ANCHEM offers specialized acrylamide analysis, enabling the detection and measurement of its concentration in food products.
- MELAMINE detection – used to increase protein content, melamine is a health hazard. ANCHEM offers the ability to detect its presence, particularly in dairy products.
- RADIOACTIVITY analysis in food samples – irradiation is one method of food preservation. ANCHEM, in collaboration with a partner laboratory, offers measurements of both artificial and natural radioactivity in food samples using gamma spectrometry to ensure compliance with product safety regulations.
- NITRITES AND NITRATES testing in food and water allows for determining their levels, which may result from both natural presence and the use of preservatives or environmental contamination. Excessive amounts of these compounds can be harmful to health, such as the risk of methemoglobinemia or the formation of nitrosamines. These analyses use precise methods like spectrophotometry, liquid chromatography, and ion chromatography to ensure compliance with safety standards.
What makes ANCHEM the right choice?
Whether you are involved in production, distribution, or catering, ANCHEM Testing Laboratory is your trusted partner in food testing.
Contact us to tailor our services to your company’s needs and ensure the highest level of product safety.