Processed Food

Processed Food

Hill Labs provides accredited methods for pesticides, heavy metals, nutritional information, allergen and microbiological testing in processed foods, including condiments such as herbs and spices.

Heavy Metal Testing

Food may become contaminated with heavy metals for many reasons. Many soil contaminants, such as heavy metals remain in biologically accessible states for extended periods of time, and are water-soluble, which means that they can bio-accumulate in fish, fruits, vegetables, shellfish and potentially humans. As such testing soil, water, fruits and vegetables for heavy metals is commonplace. Hill Labs has an extensive suite of heavy metal tests for use on everything from soil through to honey. Our technical notes will help guide you through what test may be right for your needs.

Pathogen Testing

Hill Labs has an extensive array of pathogen-related tests that using either traditional culture, or molecular based detection. Our turnaround times are industry-leading and can be used with product or environmental swabs alike. Some of our routinely analysed pathogens are listed below:

  • Listeria species (by PCR)
  • Listeria monocytogenes (by PCR)
  • Salmonella (by PCR)
  • Aerobic plate count (APCs)
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Total coliforms
  • Faecal coliforms
  • E. Coli
  • STEC E. coli ((including O157) by PCR)
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Camplyobacter

Pesticide Residue Testing

Hill Labs has extensive experience in the analysis of pesticide residues. We have developed award winning purification systems that ensure the best possible extraction of contaminants across the most diverse array of sample types available in New Zealand. Our test offering is IANZ accredited and suitable for use in both domestic and export-based situations. A complete listing of available pesticide test options can be found in our easy-to-read technical note documents.

Allergen Testing

Testing products for allergens such as gluten, egg white and milk products Is important when wanting to ensure that a product conforms to its stated food labelling claims. Hill Labs offers a number of allergen tests for a variety of different products and drinks. 

Nutritional Panel Testing

Understanding the nutritional information of food, especially processed food is a food labelling requirement. Nutritional panel testing includes getting an understanding of a product’s, energy, protein, fat (total and saturated), carbohydrate (total and sugars) and sodium. Assessing so many components within multi-component food groups can provide a number of analytical challenges, however Hill Labs team of expert analysts have made the process simple and convenient. Simply complete one of our test submission forms and sample and we will take care of the rest.

Contact us for more info

Helpful links

Our team of testing experts has meticulously crafted these documents to offer recommendations tailored to your testing requirements.

Latest Stories

Introducing Murray Eichler - Senior Lab Technician

"I’ve been with Hill Labs for almost 24 years now, ever since I joined as a lab technician in the environmental organics section back in July 2000. My journey to Hill Labs was influenced by my upbringing on a dairy farm and my interest in science. After completing a science course at Wintec, I found my way to Hill Labs and I’ve stayed here all this time thanks mainly to the variety of the work that we get to do."
  15 May 2024

Introducing Dana Wildeboer - HR Support and Recruitment Advisor

“I started with Hill Labs 29 years ago back in 1995 when I was looking for my first job out of high school. What attracted me to the company was their reputation, they were a small but well known local business in Cambridge. Over the years I’ve performed a variety of business support roles – Receptionist, Office Manager, Induction Officer, Client Services Coordinator, HR Administrator and now my current role which is part time in the Human Resources team as Hill Labs’ HR Support and Recruitment Advisor."
  15 May 2024

Introducing Graham Corban - Client Service Manager for Key Accounts

“Come October this year, I’ve been with Hill Labs for 30 years. Personally, there are so many stand out moments during my career but one of the most significant has been the opportunity to help grow the organics section in the lab, being part of the clean-up of the old Fruitgrowers’ Chemical Company DDT plant in Mapua, and helping to grow the methamphetamine testing service which grew from nothing to being a very significant contributor to our business at one stage."
  15 May 2024

What our customers have to say

"We've always found them to be responsive in getting results back and giving advice on problems we might be facing."

Andrew Hutchinson, Technical Manager, Turners & Growers

"We strongly recommend Hill Labs as a sound testing service provider to the honey industry."

Nick Walker, Technical Manager, Egmont Honey

"Their sample registration system has made things simple and seamless - collect, scan and send!"

Mathew Bannister, Compliance Manager, First Fresh New Zealand

Accreditations

As a New Zealand accredited laboratory by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), Hill Labs' commitment to quality is tantamount to our overall operating philosophy. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work.