Food testing laboratories are increasingly helping to bring about improvements in the country’s food quality standards, thereby uplifting the food processing industry

In most developed and developing countries, the growing demand for food safety in the marketplace, coupled with increased availability of new testing technologies, have led to rapid enhancement in the quality of food products. Regulatory requirements and buyer scrutiny require food processors and suppliers to provide more information about the type and level of contaminants present in the products manufactured by them. Food testing laboratories, in turn, have responded by coming up with new kinds of analysis and increased information about food products.

It has been a common practice within the Indian food processing industry to use testing and consultancy services of external laboratories. Such laboratories can provide a variety of services such as microbiological, chemical and pesticide residue testing, nutritional analysis, shelf-life studies, heavy metal and dietary supplement analysis including micronutrients like vitamins and minerals and other advanced research and consulting services.

Dr Deepa Bhajekar, managing director of MicroChem Silliker Pvt Ltd

The advantage of testing in an external laboratory lies in the fact that food processors can focus on their core activities while benefiting from the economics of sale, services from experts and reduction in capital expenditure required for setting up a modern laboratory. Some tests have become so specialised that recruiting and retaining in-house personnel to conduct the same would be exorbitantly expensive.

Reputed external laboratories are armed with testing knowledge and experience that comes from working across a broad range of food matrices among various strata of the industry. Their knowledge of regulatory requirements, experience in meeting government approvals and compliances are other important assets that these laboratories offer. In addition, since many regulatory requirements are particular to specific industries, (for example meat and poultry processing, baking, beverages, etc) the experience of external laboratories in these aspects helps in timely and cost-effective management.

To help determine whether a laboratory is a suitable match for the required testing needs, a simple check-list could help determine their competency and proficiency:

• The laboratory’s qualification to conduct analysis and provide services that would be required

• Proficiency of laboratory personnel in the testing or service that is required

• Whether the laboratory is equipped with appropriate facility, equipment and methodology to conduct the requisite tests

• Methods that the laboratory intends to use, which are suitable and accepted by the industry and regulatory agencies

• Laboratory with certification and accreditation related to the food industry

• Written procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) followed by laboratory

• Internal quality assurance programme that the laboratory has adopted to ensure adherence to written procedures

• Sufficient procedures that are in place for receipt, handling and retention of samples

• Inclusive reports providing document sample identification, data, methods and interpretation of results

• Competitive pricing

• Ability to troubleshoot and offer timely and practicable solutions

• Market reputation and goodwill

Identifying the most suitable laboratory is crucial not only to prevent valuable monetary and product loss, but also to protect the confidentiality of vital information. Successful selection of an external testing laboratory depends on the identification of internal requirements as well as the laboratory’s ability to meet those requirements.

And most importantly, as is the case in any relationship, both partners need to have shared objectives, mutual respect and a firm commitment towards continual improvement and betterment of services. 

Dr Deepa Bhajekar, managing director of MicroChem Silliker Pvt Ltd, a mid-sized nutritional chemistry and food safety laboratory at Mhape, Mumbai