Pasi Tuomikoski

Commission Regulation (EU) No 2023/915 specifies maximum levels for heavy metals in various foods, and Directive 2002/32/EC does the same for various feeds. This analysis can be used to quantify traces of the heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in food, feed, and dietary supplements. The method applied is ICP-MS according to the EN 15763 standard.

Microbiological quality is one of the most important quality assessments performed on food products, as microbiological hazards are among the biggest risk factors considering the general safety of food and feed. Failure to produce microbiologically acceptable products can lead to foodborne illness outbreaks, product recalls, and other costly control measures. In the EU, Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 lays down the microbiological safety criteria for easily perishable food products. Some of the foods listed in the regulation include egg products, dairy, meat products, seafood, infant formula, and ready-to-eat precut fruit and vegetables. Micro-organisms for which limit values have been set include the following: Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Cronobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Presumptive Bacillus cereus. The microbiological criteria for feed are given in Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011, which sets limits for Salmonella and Enterobacteriaceae in animal-derived feed products. Microbiological quality can be evaluated further based on national regulations and guidances, such as those by the German DGHM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie) or the Finnish ETL (Elintarviketeollisuusliitto). Examples of parameters for which we offer testing include: Aerobic micro-organisms, Anaerobic micro-organisms, Aerobic spore-forming micro-organisms, Anaerobic spore-forming micro-organisms, Presumptive Bacillus cereus, Coliform bacteria, Thermotolerant coliform bacteria, Clostridium perfringens, Cronobacter spp., E. coli, Enterococci, Enterobacteriaceae, Yeasts and moulds, Coagulase-positive staphylococci, Lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., Sulphite-reducing clostridia, Spore-forming sulphite-reducing clostridia, Osmotolerant yeasts, Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes in 25 g, Salmonella in 25 g, Salmonella in 125 g, Hepatitis A, Norovirus. The displayed price applies to the analysis of one microbiological parameter for one sample. The price per parameter per sample generally decreases when several parameters and/or larger sample batches are analyzed. Contact us through the form below for more information and a quote tailored to your product.

Quantitative analysis of gliadin and gluten in food, cosmetics, feed, and environmental samples using the ELISA method. Quantification of intact gliadin is used as a measure of gluten. Please note that the method is not accurate for samples that contain fermented or hydrolyzed gluten. According to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, gluten-containing cereals (wheat, rye, barley, etc.) must be indicated and emphasized in the list of ingredients, as they are known to cause allergies and intolerances. It is also recommended to provide a voluntary indication if a food product may contain gluten due to unintended contamination. For food to be marketed as gluten-free or very low gluten in the EU, the following criteria must be met: Gluten content does not exceed 20 mg/kg in ‘gluten-free’ products, Gluten content does not exceed 100 mg/kg in ‘very low gluten’ products.

Nutritional analysis of compound feed or complementary feed intended for cats, dogs, and other furry animals. Testing is recommended to fulfill the feed labeling requirements outlined in Commission Regulation (EC) No 767/2009. The following parameters are included: Moisture, Ash, Crude protein, Crude fat, Crude fiber, Nitrogen-free extract (NFE).