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Ingredients & Raw Materials Testing Solutions

TEL Expert Solutions | Managed by experts. Overseen by Experts.

Ensure the quality and safety of your food production with TEL Expert Solutions' ingredients and raw materials testing solutions service. Our experts collaborate closely with you to understand your requirements and manage the testing process with our ISO 17025-accredited partner laboratories. We ensure that each ingredient or material meets the highest standards for purity, composition, and contaminant levels, giving you the confidence to release the materials for production without any concerns.

Trust TEL Expert Solutions to provide precise ingredients and raw materials testing and help you uphold the highest standards in food safety and production excellence.

Why test ingredients and raw materials?

To maintain the highest standards of food safety and quality, conducting thorough testing of ingredients and raw materials before production is integral for several key reasons:

  • Safety Assurance: Testing identifies harmful contaminants, such as pathogens, drug residues, pesticides, and heavy metals, protecting consumers from foodborne illnesses.

  • Quality Control: Evaluating the quality of ingredients ensures they meet specified standards, including composition, texture, and nutritional content, all of which are vital for the final product’s quality.

  • Consistency: Regular testing helps maintain uniformity across batches. Variations in raw materials can lead to inconsistent product quality, impacting customer satisfaction and brand reputation.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Many countries have stringent food safety regulations. Testing ensures that products comply, helping to avoid legal issues and potential recalls.

  • Supply Chain Reliability: By testing ingredients, manufacturers can verify the reliability of their suppliers, fostering strong relationships and ensuring adherence to quality standards.

  • Cost Efficiency: Early detection of issues can prevent costly recalls and minimize waste. Identifying problems before production saves time and resources.

  • Consumer Trust: A commitment to quality and safety through testing enhances consumer confidence in a brand, which is vital in a competitive market.

What are Tested for Ingredients and Raw Materials?

Testing of ingredients and raw materials typically involves monographs and test methods from internationally recognized compendia and official standards, such as

- Food Chemicals Codex (FCC)
- Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
- Codex Alimentarius
- Association of Official Analytical Chemists Official (AOAC) Methods of Analysis (OMA)
- American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS) Methods

Below are some categories of tests commonly performed on ingredients and raw materials:

  • Tests that are designed to confirm the identity of an ingredient or raw material. These tests typically involve multiple, orthogonal methods to ensure accuracy and prevent misidentification.

    Commonly Requested Identification Tests
    Inorganic ion (i.e. ammonium, calcium, chloride, nitrate, etc.), Organic ion and compound (i.e. acetate, ascorbate, gluconates, tartrate, etc.), Thin-layer chromatography, Colour reaction, Reducing reaction, Solubility

    Common Techniques Used in Identification Tests
    Wet chemical tests, Flame test, Thin-layer chromatography (TLC), High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Gas chromatography (GC), UV-vis spectrophotometry, Melting point

  • Measures the amount of a specific component within an ingredient or raw material. These tests are crucial for determining the ingredient's quality and ensuring it meets required specifications.

    Common Techniques Used in the Determination of Assay or Purity
    Titration, High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Gas chromatography (GC), UV-vis spectrophotometry, Specific rotation

  • Identifies and quantifies unwanted substances within an ingredient. These tests are critical for assessing the overall quality and safety of the ingredient, ensuring it meets regulatory requirements and is free from harmful contaminants.

    Commonly Requested Impurities Tests
    Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Organic impurities, Residual solvents

    Common Techniques Used in Impurities Tests
    Thin-layer chromatography (TLC), High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Gas chromatography (GC), UV-vis spectrophotometry, Inductively coupled plasma (ICP), Wet chemical tests

  • Encompass functional and quality assessments that are important for an ingredient's or raw material's intended use. These tests evaluate characteristics such as solubility, stability, and sensory attributes, ensuring that the ingredient meets performance and quality standards for its application.

    Commonly Requested Specific Tests
    pH, Loss on drying (LOD), Water, Sulfated ash, Loss on ignition, Water-insoluble matter, Ester-extractable matter, Nitrogen determination, Viscosity, Refractive index

    Common Techniques Used in Specific Tests
    Gravimetric tests, Wet chemical tests, Potentiometric tests, High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Gas chromatography (GC), UV-vis spectrophotometry, Karl Fischer (KF) titrator, Viscometer, Refractometer

  • Detects and quantifies microorganisms within an ingredient or raw material. These tests are crucial for ensuring food safety, as they help identify potential pathogens and spoilage organisms, thereby verifying that the ingredient meets safety standards for consumption.

    Commonly Requested Microbiological Tests
    Total plate count (TPC), Coliforms and E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Total yeasts and moulds count (TYMC)

  • Verifies that an ingredient is what it claims to be, ensuring it has not been adulterated or misrepresented. These tests may help to confirm the origin and/or true nature of the ingredient.

    Commonly Requested Authenticity Tests
    Edible bird's nest (EBN), Olive oil, Coffee

    Common Techniques Used in Food Authenticity Tests
    Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), Near-Infrared (NIR) spectrophotometry

Why should you work with TEL Expert Solutions?

Experienced Subject Matter Experts

From certified professionals to experienced technical experts, we provide impactful, personalized insights that drive your business forward.

Accredited Partner Laboratories for Testing

Our partner laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by SAC-SINGLAS and recognized by local and international bodies.

Exceptional Customer Support

Our commitment to excellent customer support guarantees a seamless and responsive experience for all our customers.

Access to Technical Resources

We leverage a rich resource library of regulatory, technical and testing standards to deliver unparalleled support.

Single Point of Contact

We serve as your point of contact, streamlining communication and reducing the need to liaise with multiple stakeholders.

Timely Update of Progress and Status

We provide dynamic progress updates that keep you informed and drive you toward timely project completion.