Processed Food
Hill Laboratories provide accredited methods for pesticides, heavy metals, nutritional information, allergen and microbiological testing in processed foods, including condiments such as herbs and spices.
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 Laboratories 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, or you can always call our friendly Client Service Managers who will be happy to help understand what test options may best fit your situation
Hill Laboratories 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, however for a more complete listing of our pathogen testing options and the associated test details, simply call us or complete the form below and we will be happy to help you decide what test is best for your particular needs.
- 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
- Bacillus cereus
- Lactic acid bacteria
- Mesophilic spores
- Yeasts and moulds
- Camplyobacter
Hill Laboratories 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.
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 Laboratories offers a number of allergen tests for a variety of different products and drinks. Contact one of our friendly Client Service Managers to learn more about what we have to offer and how it may meet your food manufacturing needs.
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 Laboratories 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.