Food
At Lab Works EA our Food Division is a leading provider of testing, inspection, auditing and consulting services to the food (and related) industry. We are able to provide high quality solutions across a wide range of services, products and locations. We employ qualified and experienced food industry professionals, have state-of-the-art facilities, and access to technologies to add value to our customer’s food quality and food safety programs.
Our food business has the experience and expertise to support a variety of industries, including;
Government regulatory bodies
Food and beverage manufacturers
Exporters and importers Retailers
Wholesalers
Primary producers
Restaurants and hotels
The range of product categories we are able to service includes;
Processed foods
Ready to eat foods
Dairy products
Beverages
Fruits and vegetables
Meat and poultry
Seafood
Bakery items
Packaging materials
Our food business is here to add value to our customers through the provision of high quality, timely and value for money services.
Food Testing To Service Your Needs
In today’s competitive food manufacturing and retailing environment, it takes more than a great taste for a product to be a success. We aim to make your contribution even more successful for all the right reasons. Our food testing capabilities are built on a legacy of industry knowledge, partnership and trust. We are committed to providing you with the most robust, accurate and timely information to allow you to make the best decisions for your business.
Our food testing capabilities include regulatory guidance on shelf life and nutrition labels as required for testing to meet the growing demands of the food industry.
Our services provide knowledge and capabilities specifically measured to fulfil your needs.
A. Food Testing Network
Our team cover shelf life contaminants, pesticides, new product development and nutritional testing, supporting customers with due diligence and highly robust surveillance programmes.
We undertake food testing in a diverse range of categories and groups, including ambient, chilled, processed, ready to eat, baked and dried food, dairy, fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, condiments and seafood.
B. Food Allergen Testing
Lab Works East Africa’s food chemistry laboratories can conduct specific tests for almonds and peanuts as well as other allergens. Faster turnaround times are available with prior agreement with the laboratory.
With increasing market demands to identify allergens in food products, our allergen testing provides a reliable solution to ensure your products are safe for consumption.
C. Food Testing to Minimise Risk and Maximise Quality
While every product launch carries a degree of commercial risk, there can be no room for error in relation to food testing and food safety, and with increased consumer and regulatory scrutiny, reputations are never far from the spotlight.
With a global network of specialist laboratories, Exova offers unparalleled expertise in food testing and food analysis. We conduct food testing that adheres to internationally recognised standards, including the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
D. Food Testing for Peace of Mind
We strongly identify with your commercial needs and offer rapid response times while pro-actively keeping you informed at every stage of the food testing process, In the unlikely event that your product is challenged, we can call upon our network of specialists to provide you with expert support.
We offer a full spectrum of food testing and food analysis services including:
Food chemistry
Food microbiology
Food preservatives, allergens and contaminates
Nutritional analysis and labelling
Pesticide residues and organics
Assistance in shelf life determination
Please refer to the current schedule/scope of accreditation for the current list of accredited tests/matrices, for the specific location. The scope/schedule is available from the relevant laboratory, or may be downloaded from the relevant Accreditation Body website.
Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Consumers are constantly asking:
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- What is in my food?
- Does it contain additives or preservatives?
- Does it contain any harmful chemicals?
- Does it require food testing?
- Is it safe for my family to eat?
We recognise that individual organisations need reliable, cost effective analytical services to support their food safety and quality programs. Lab Works East Africa has developed an extensive range of tests to assist the food industry to meet regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.
Our approach to customer service is to assist you to assess and achieve compliance with the increasing number and demanding requirements of regulators, the consuming public, and your customers. We strive to provide you with the confidence that your products and processes meet the requirements for food safety, quality and the environment.
Our experienced expert team of senior staff are also available to provide assistance with technical issues in Microbiology, Residue Testing and Chemistry to provide a unique one-stop shop for the food industry.
Please refer to the current schedule/scope of accreditation for the current list of accredited tests/matrices, for the specific location. The scope/schedule is available from the relevant laboratory, or may be downloaded from the relevant Accreditation Body website.
A. Microbiology
Lab Works East Africa conducts thousands of tests each week covering a wide range of microorganisms. We test processed foods and ingredients, fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, water, air and effluent. We also have the technical capability to test and identify all typical food microorganisms using both traditional and rapid test methods, including DuPont BAX system, GDS Biocontrol PCR systems, and VIDAS platforms, just to name a few.
B. Pesticide Residues and Heavy Metals
Metals Kenya has an enviable reputation for clean, green food, and the regulation and monitoring of pesticide use assures that this reputation is well deserved. Lab Works East Africa is recognized as a leading supplier of residue testing services by regulators, and is involved in testing products as part of the Kenya Government’s National Residue Survey. Our experienced Chemists conduct thousands of tests per week, and Lab Works East Africa is continuing to develop and validate methods for an increasing list of chemical compounds. We also develop testing to suit the requirements of individual organisations.
C. Routine Chemical Analysis
Lab Works East Africa has the capability to complete a wide range of tests using traditional and rapid methods that assist in monitoring and maintaining quality assurance.
D. Mycotoxin Analysis
Mycotoxins are chemical compounds produced by mould and fungi on crops including grains, nuts, and a number of food and animal feed products. They are extremely toxic, and their presence poses a serious health risk. Lab Works East Africa has the capability to test for the below toxins.
E. Consumer Survey
Lab Works East Africa is committed to continuous improvement. To help us achieve this, we want to hear your experience of our service and ideas for how we can better meet your needs. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and help us shape our service to you. Take the survey.
F. Accreditation
Lab Works East Africa – where quality is a given At Lab Works East Africa, we aim to be the very best by following exacting quality standards that enable us to deliver accurate, reliable results to our customers. We operate in accordance with applicable national and international standards. Where appropriate, our laboratory comply with ISO/IEC 17025, the international standard against which the competence of testing and calibration laboratories is assessed. In addition, we hold EN 45011 (ISO/IEC Guide 65) and ISO/IEC 17020 for the certification and inspection services we provide.
G. Authenticity, Origin & Traceability and Non Targeted Analysis
We also have the most accurate chemical and molecular testing methods to confirm authenticity and provenance of foods, as well as offering up to date advice and guidance on food authentication issus, helping you protect your brand integrity adn monitor compliance labelling requirements like those aring through use for alternative or genetically modified ingredients.
H. Food Contaminants
Food contaminants are controlled under Eu food safety legislation. We have an extensive suite of full analytical screening solutions specialising in testing for and identifying the levels of mycotoxins, contaminants resulting from food processing and illegal use of food addictives.
J. Dairy Testing
Coliforms/E. coli (Plate Count)
Coliforms – Total (MPN)
Gram-Negative Bacteria Count (CVT)
Inhibitory Substances-Antibiotics
Lactic Acid Bacteria Count
Lactobacillus Count
Pre-incubated Bacteria Count
Pseudomonas Count
Psychrotrophic bacteria Count
Salmonella
Standard Plate Count
Yeast/Mold Count
K. Food Testing
Aflatoxin Analysis
Allergen Testing
Bacillus cereus
Clostridium perfringens
Cyclospora (P/A)
Enterobacteriaceae
Food Pathogen Screens Including Listeria, E. coli O157, Salmonella & S. aureus
Lactic Acid Bacteria Count
Listeria
Mold ID
Pathogen Confirmations
Quality Indicators: APC, Coliform/E. coli, Yeast & Mold
Shigella by qPCR & Culture
Thermophilic Aerobic Spore Former Count
Aerobic Plate Count
Anaerobic Plate Count
Campylobacter
Total Coliform/E. coli
E. coli
Flat Sour Spoilage Bacteria
GMO Testing
Lactobacillus Count
Meat Speciation by PCR
Mycotoxin Testing
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Salmonella
Sporeformers
Thermophilic Anaerobic Spore Former Count
Aerobic Spore Former Count
Anaerobic Sporeformers
Canner’s Test
Contamination Source Tracking
E. coli O157:H7
Food Authentication by DNA
Heat Resistant Mold
Listeria Monocytogenes
Mesophilic bacteria
Osmophilic Yeast
Psychrotrophic Bacteria Count
Sanitation Validation
Staphylococcus aureus (Coag. Positive)
Yeast/Mold Count
L. Aquatic Microbiology
Algal Toxins
Bioaccumulation & Growth Studies
Diversity Indices
Taste and Odor Test
Taxonomic Indentification and Enumeration
- Algae
- Diatoms
- Phytoplankton
- Periphyton
- Inverterbrates
Bacterial Abundance
Biomass
- Chlorophylls
- Biovolume
- Ash Free Dry Weight
Protozoa
- Cryptosporidium
- Giardia
Air Quality Monitoring & Assessment
Noise & Vibration
Occupational Hygiene Measurements
Environmental Health & Safety Measurements
Agriculture
Asbestos