Processed Food Testing

Processed foods are among the fastest-growing segments in the food industry, ranging from ready-to-eat meals, frozen foods, beverages, bakery, snacks, and confectionery to high-value health products like fortified and functional foods. While processing improves convenience, taste, and shelf stability, it also creates unique safety and quality risks. These include microbial contamination, adulteration, nutrient loss, and exposure to harmful additives, preservatives, or packaging contaminants.

Consumers today demand transparency, nutrition accuracy, and safe ingredients. Regulatory authorities worldwide impose strict requirements on processed foods, and failure to comply can result in product recalls, import rejections, or penalties.

At Eurofins, we help ensure processed foods are safe, authentic, nutritionally accurate, and compliant with domestic and international standards.

Why Processed Foods Must Be Tested

Testing processed foods is essential for:

• Consumer Protection – Detecting toxins, microbes, and allergens that could endanger health.
• Regulatory Compliance – Meeting guidelines of FSSAI, Codex, EFSA, FDA, and WHO.
• Market Access – Avoiding export/import barriers due to non-compliance.
• Nutritional Trust – Ensuring label claims (e.g., “high in protein”, “low in sugar”) are valid.
• Brand Reputation – Preventing recalls and protecting consumer confidence.

Scope of Processed Food Testing

Processed food testing covers multiple aspects beyond just safety:

1. Raw Material Quality – Checking incoming ingredients for contaminants and quality compliance.
2. In-Process Controls – Monitoring food during production to avoid cross-contamination.
3. Finished Product Testing – Ensuring safety, nutrition, and packaging integrity.
4. Shelf-life & Stability Studies – Validating expiry dates and product stability under different storage conditions.
5. Special Claims Verification – “Gluten-free,” “Vegan,” “Organic,” or “Fortified with vitamins/minerals.”

Key Parameters in Processed Food Testing

Standards and Regulations

FSSAI Fortification Standards for Processed Foods

• Scope:
  Applies to processed foods like breakfast cereals, biscuits, breads, rusks, pasta, noodles, buns, and fruit juices.
• Voluntary Fortification:
  Companies can choose to fortify their products; it is not mandatory (except for some staples like milk and oil in future).
• Exclusions:
  Products high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) are excluded from the fortified category.
• Nutrient Sources:
  Processed foods can use fortified staples as raw materials and/or be fortified with approved micronutrients.
• Permissible Fortification Levels:
• Must provide 15–30% of the Indian adult Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) per serving.
• Based on an average calorie intake of 600 kcal from processed foods daily.
• Micronutrients Permitted:
  Iron, Folic Acid, Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin C (for juices).
• Examples of Specific Standards:
• Cereals: Iron levels must be 1.4–1.7 mg per 100 g.
• Fruit Juices: Vitamin C should be 6–12 mg per 100 ml.
• Implementation Date:
  These regulations are effective from July 1, 2021.
• Regulation Reference:
  Standards are part of Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) First Amendment Regulations, 2020.
• F+ Logo:
  Fortified products must carry the 'F+' logo for easy consumer identification.
• Background:
  FSSAI had earlier (2018) set fortification standards for five staples: milk, edible oil, rice, flour, and salt.

https://fssai.gov.in/upload/media/FSSAI_News_fortification_BusinessLine_23_12_2020.pdf

Testing Technologies Used at Eurofins

Eurofins uses advanced ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing platforms to ensure reliability:

• Microbiological Testing: PCR, ELISA, culture methods, rapid detection kits
• Chemical Analysis: HPLC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS, ICP-MS for residues, toxins, and additives
• Nutritional Analysis: Spectrophotometry, Kjeldahl, bomb calorimetry
• Allergen & GMO Detection: Real-time PCR, ELISA
• Shelf-life Studies: Real-time & accelerated stability testing under different storage conditions

Who Benefits from Processed Food Testing?

Our services are designed for:

• Food Manufacturers – Packaged snacks, bakery, beverages, frozen foods
• Exporters & Importers – Meeting multiple country-specific regulations
• Retailers & Supermarkets – Ensuring supplier compliance and private-label safety
• Start-ups & E-commerce Food Brands – Gaining consumer trust with reliable claims
• Restaurants & Cloud Kitchens – Validating hygiene and ready-to-eat food safety

Common Industry Challenges We Solve

Case Study: Ready-to-Eat Exporter

An Indian ready-to-eat food exporter faced delays at EU ports due to labeling discrepancies and excessive additives. Eurofins carried out nutritional validation, additive compliance, and allergen testing. With corrective action support, the client successfully launched in the EU market and avoided costly rejections.

Why Choose Eurofins?

• Global Network: 900+ labs across 50+ countries
• Recognized Accreditations: NABL, FSSAI, ISO/IEC 17025, FDA & EFSA-recognized methods
• Cutting-Edge Technology: Advanced analytical platforms for precision results
• Expert Guidance: Food technologists, regulatory experts, and labeling advisors
• Quick Turnaround: Nationwide logistics with express testing (24–48h for urgent needs)

Ensure your processed foods meet global standards. Get tested for safety, quality, nutrition, and compliance.

Enquire now: www.eurofins.in/food-testing/enquire-now/

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