By Joel Paige
Although it may be the final step in the food manufacturing chain, food testing is crucial since it determines food safety.
Food testing is essential as it ensures that food is free of biological, physical, and chemical hazards. Some of the most common risky food contaminants include e-coli bacteria, metals, cleaning agents, additives, pesticides, preservatives, salmonella, etc.
What is food testing?
In simple terms, food testing is the analysis of food and its contents scientifically. It is performed to avail information regarding various characteristics, composition, physicochemical, and food structure food. Other reasons for food testing include:
- Testing the product’s quality
- Quality control
- To ensure food manufacturers adhere to the set standards and laws
- To analyze and verify any claims made on a food product
- To ensure improvement in food quality
- To protect manufacturers from smears by competitors, and so on.
Here are some tips that will help you choose the best food testing laboratory for your product.
- Accreditation
When choosing a food testing company, you want to ensure that it has all the relevant accreditations. Ask prospective laboratories if they are accredited by the relevant bodies. You can also view their website for this information.
That way, you are assured that the food testing company you settle for is operating per the set and recognized standards. And that they are not only reliable but credible.
- Assess all your needs
Before you settle for any food testing company, you want to outline every service you expect from them. That will help you to assess their services and figure out if they are relevant to your case. Choose a food lab with experienced microbiologists whose aim is to deliver high-quality results. They should aim to communicate effectively and ensure you understand what goes into food testing.
The last thing you want is only a transactional relationship where you don’t understand what is happening in and around food testing.
- Set a clear budget
Like any other capital expense or operating expense, food testing will also take up a significant chunk of your money. For this reason, you need to request an estimate of all food testing services you need and come up with a budget. Remember to factor in any additional costs such as shipping costs and any other that may arise due to follow-up testing. Avoid food testing laboratories that charge low prices. It could mean that they offer subpar services that may compromise your product and brand.
- Reviews
Finally, you want to choose a food testing company that has the best reviews. Go online and read all the comments from past and present clients. That will give you an idea of what to expect from their services. Be on the lookout for companies with negative reviews because it could mean that their food products are substandard.
You want to choose a food testing company known to offer high-quality services and has the best equipment in place. You can also consult trusted family members and friends for referrals.
