Food testing labs help businesses maintain the first line of defense in serving the consumer public in its concerns for food safety and content. Food safety concerns are paramount, with food and beverage measuring and testing ensuring these needs are in focus. A savvy business will have these affordable costs built into its budget. Whether measuring the alcohol content of a beverage for a popular mixed drink, or determining the carbohydrate content of a food item, the provider will find more satisfied consumers by telling them what they want to know.
The twenty-first century consumer focus has reached beyond simple portion control. Topics that include trans fats, food quality assurance, food allergy testing, and determining life-threatening bacterial levels in produce, dairy products, meat, and poultry, have moved into mainstream consciousness. Fortunately, options abound for addressing the food and beverage measuring and testing. Food-testing labs are easily accessible in every locale throughout the United States, and have the food testing equipment you are likely to need. Just be sure to find a certified, reputable operation that is accountable under guidelines of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other federal agencies.
To best handle food measuring, testing and safety concerns, keep the following items in mind:
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Find the best contacts and resources for testing and measuring food
If you are in the early stages of business development, you might consider a reputable food industry consultation or management service. These food and beverage companies can help you focus on what you need to find out and what the best lab is for your needs.
I recommend: KOR Food Innovation specializes in a wide variety of services for restaurants and other food and beverage businesses, including: menu planning, testing equipment, training, and more.
Team Four Foodservice is a food industry operative that will help you address issues of food measurement and testing, food safety, and sensory analysis.
Determine your food safety testing needs
You might have a special, immediate food content or safety issue that is temporary--or you might determine that you will have ongoing needs to provide food testing and measuring results. If it is the former, choosing an appropriate food testing lab will satisfy your demand. If it is the latter, consider purchasing the appropriate equipment from a reputable company if it fits into your budget.
I recommend: NDC Infrared Engineering makes thousands of gauges for application-specific measuring that can determine the composition of moisture, fat, and protein, for instance, for thousands of natural and processed food products.
Fisher Scientific provides food diagnostics and testing products such as rapid test kits, sampling tools, and physical properties testing equipment.
Find a food testing lab
Determine if you would best be suited to utilize an established food-testing lab and find one that is accessible to your locale and your specific needs.
I recommend: Contract Laboratory.com is a web-based platform for laboratory outsourcing where you can find a lab that is suited specifically for the service you need, and review its certification credentials to meet your standards. The
Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), an arm of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), also maintains up-to-date information regarding lab certifications, issues in food and beverage quality and safety, and links to food industry news and issues.
Stay informed of the latest news on food and beverage measuring and testing, and safety alerts
You must keep current with federal regulations governing the food and beverage industry, and food safety concerns. Sometimes an accredited commercial lab will provide this kind of information in a concise and helpful manner on its website.
I recommend: Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc. is a diversified lab operation with a focus on the areas of public health, and food and beverage testing, in addition to manufacturing, energy, and environmental areas that might also directly affect food safety concerns.
FoodSafety.gov is a source for food safety information and alerts issued by federal, state, and local government agencies.
Related Resources from Business.com
Comments
Is any content on this page inappropriate? To let us know, please 
