Analysis of fresh produce

Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories offer a comprehensive portfolio of services supporting the entire fruit and vegetable supply chain - from sowing, pre-harvest sampling and residue testing to packaging evaluation.

Key services

Pesticides:

  • Multi methods: Quechers / DFG S19
  • Group and individual methods
  • Polar group method

Relevant group and individual methods (pesticides): 

  • Acid herbicides
  • Dithiocarbamates
  • Phosphonic acid/fosetyl
  • Ethephon
  • Glyphosate
  • Chlormequat/mepiquat
  • Paraquat/diquat
  • Guazatine
  • Dithianone
  • Ethylene oxide
  • Bromide

Relevant contaminants and heavy metals:

  • Chlorate/Perchlorate 
  • QAVs (Quartäre Ammoniumverbindungen)
  • Morpholine and other amino alcohols
  • Lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, copper, nickel

Special analytics for fruits and vegetables:

  • Nitrates
  • Sulfur dioxide

Mycotoxins and plant toxins:

  • Aflatoxins
  • Ochratoxin A
  • Fumonisins
  • Patulin
  • Alternariatoxins
  • Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
  • Glycolalkaloide 

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): 

  • Screening, identification and quantification of GMO components.
  • Detection of numerous genetically modified fruit or vegetable GMOs (e.g., papaya, tomato, zucchini, sugar beet, or potato)
  • Detection of botanical impurities
  • Analysis for cytoplasmic sterility (CMS)

Ingredients:

  • Additives
  • Nutrients (also „nutrition facts“ for USA and Canada): caloric value, protein, carbohydrates/sugar, fat/saturated fatty acids, fiber, salt, water, asch, starch
  • Vitamins and minerals
  • Value- added components (secondary plant constituents)

Allergens:

  • Plant allergens: e.g. gluten, peanut, soy, nuts, celery and sulfur dioxide
  • Animal allergens: egg, milk protein
  • Pseudo-allergens: sulfite, lactose

Microorganisms and hygiene:

  • Hygiene germs, e.g. total germ count, yeast and moulds
  • Spoilage pathogens
  • Indicator germs
  • Pathogenic germs and their toxins, such as salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, STEC/VTEC, noroviruses, hepatitis A virus, Bacillus cereus
  • Microscopic examinations
  • Sterility tests
  • Industrial hygiene / hygiene checks 

Additional services

  • Organic contaminants
  • Packing analysis: cardboard, plastic and other materials
  • Authenticity and origin
  • Sensory analysis
  • Test for marketability, e.g. trade class regulations
  • Consulting services
    • Selection of product-specific test scopes
    • Support in the development of product specifications 
    • Evaluation of test results, and risk-based recommendations
    • Crisis management and prevention
    • Declaration testing according to regulatory requirements
  • Worldwide sampling, e.g. sample collection and sample purchasing
  • Express service for release analysis

Reliability and quality of our laboratories

Our analytical methods meet all the requirements of national and international norms and standards as well as those of food retailers and trade associations. Daily quality assurance checks ensure the quality of every result that leaves our laboratories. Beyond testing, our experts are on hand to support you to interpret your results. Our online portal, EOL, provides maximum clarity to clients, from order to pivot table.

Get in touch

Would you like to find out more about our testing solutions, or do you need tailored analytical support? Contact us today to get in touch with our experts.

Contact us