Contaminants testing for food and feed: registration of interest
Marchwood: the only UK laboratory offering food and feed analysis on a quick turnaround
Food and feed commodities are the most likely home for contaminants because they are sourced and traded worldwide and subjected to different industrial practices and regulations.
Recent advancements in food and feed analysis have resulted in a higher likelihood of detecting contaminants within the food chain.Marchwood‘s UKAS accredited services for analysing contaminant levels in food and feed commodities helps producers uphold safety in the food chain and comply with legislation.
Why should I test samples for contaminants in my food and feedstuffs?
Quality assurance schemes require evidence that products are free from contaminants and safe for use. Each scheme has different risk-based criteria to meet when undertaking contaminants analysis, depending on the commodity, the amount stored, and treatments used. These give guidance on how many samples should be tested per year and for which contaminants. Essentially, this testing ensures you remain compliant with current legislation and uphold safety in the food chain. They also help to avoid expensive recalls due to unsafe contaminant levels.
What contaminants tests are available for food and feedstuffs?
Serving customers for over 25 years, Cawood has the biggest dioxin analysis capability in the UK. We cover most contaminants listed within current GMP+, FEMAS, BRC, GOED quality assurance schemes. These include dioxins, PCBs, pesticides, mycotoxins, PAHs, heavy metals, and fluoride. We offer a standard 10 day turnaround, but quicker turnaround times are available if a positive release of goods is required.
How do I know that the analysis you provide will be ‘fit for purpose’?
Our analysis fits into global quality assurance schemes, and all tests hold UKAS ISO 17025 accreditation. This means they are of a high standard and are defensible to border control, food/feed enforcement agencies, and auditors. We also provide support and guidance for all results, which our current customers find invaluable for ensuring full compliance.
What should I do if I find high levels of contaminants in my commodity?
Within food and feed legislation, both the laboratory and the food/feedstuff company have an obligation to notify a ‘competent authority’. In the UK and Ireland, this usually refers to your local council’s Trading Standards or a regional public analyst. We work with customers to provide relevant information to these authorities to quarantine the commodity and await further instructions. It is likely that the contaminated commodity will be sent back to the producer or be used for a non-food/feed application.
