Food Testing Services

We use liquid and gas chromatography techniques to test for hundreds of different pesticide residues. Our methods are validated and accredited for a wide range of food types, including fresh produce, dried fruits and vegetables, cereals, nuts and spices.

Our services, at our state of the art lab in Cambridge, include multi-residue determination for over 500 compounds as well as targeted residue analysis, for analytes not included in the multi-residue screening.

We provide full consultancy pre and post-analysis. We can assist with sample collection and overnight transfer to our lab. Our reporting times range from five working days to same day testing, depending on your requirements.

We perform microbiological testing to detect food borne pathogens and spoilage organisms, ensuring food safety along the supply chain, during production and in the final product. Our services range from enumeration of indicator organisms to identification of foodborne pathogens, including Listeria, E. coli, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and others.

Our lab is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited and is an RSA approved microbiology services provider.

We have specific accreditation to test the entire range of microbiology parameters on food supplements, including blends and extracts.

In addition to regular testing and environmental monitoring, we offer microbiological shelf life determination for a wide range of food stuffs.

We operate seven days a week and provide a sample collection service. We have extensive storage capacity at both ambient and chilled conditions.

SGS’s comprehensive range of food allergen testing services help you keep your customers safe and comply with regulations. We use proven enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to detect the presence of allergens at low levels.

We offer UKAS accredited tests for the 14 main allergens, including gluten, casein, mustard, soya, almond peanut and more.

Our allergen testing covers every stage of the food supply chain and our analytical biochemistry assay is effective for a wide range of food types, ranging from raw materials to complex foods.

Our fast, accurate reliable mycotoxin testing and analysis service allows us to identify trace amounts of mycotoxins, with detection limits as low as 0.1 µg/kg, safeguarding human and animal health and ensuring compliance with specific legislation, including:

• Commission Recommendation 2006/576/EC (Feeds)
• Commission Directive 2002/32/EC (Feeds) Patulin
• Commission Regulation 1881/2006 (Foods)

We test for:

• Aflatoxins
• Aflatoxin B1
• Ochratoxin A
• Zearalenone (ZON)
• Fumonisins
• Trichothecenes (T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin)
• Deoxynivalenol (DON)

We use state of the art ELISA and liquid chromatography techniques to ensure reliable, accurate results.

We ensure compliance with strict EU regulations for the presence of dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

Comprehensive testing is conducted in our state of the art labs using:

• High resolution-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HR-GC/MS)
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

Our analysis is performed by a trusted partner who is accredited to ISO 17025:2017.

We offer end-to-end food and consumer product brand and reputation protection. From a one-off artwork label review to regulatory compliance advice or a bespoke Product Lifecycle Management platform, our advisory services ensure your needs are met. Tailoring services to your products and your intended markets, Horizon Scanning solutions, underpinned by our experts, provide you with the information you need when you need it.

We can also help you with product specification completion, tracking performance and identifying training needs, all of which improves your efficiency. Beyond the product specification we can generate and review non-artistic Pack Copy and conduct legal label (artwork) compliance reviews against the regulations in your intended market.

Our global network offers validation and translation services, ensuring compliant food product labels, wherever in the world you sell to. Let SGS support your journey to build trusted brands.

We are the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, with extensive experience providing solutions for the food industry. Our cost effective solutions, delivered by highly qualified experts, will help you ensure safety and quality throughout the food supply chain.