Scientific Testing That Protects People and Strengthens Trade
The Testing Department provides laboratory analysis for food, water, beverages, agricultural produce, and related products to determine safety, quality, nutritional value, and regulatory compliance.
Chemical Testing for Nutrition, Safety, and Product Quality
The Chemistry Laboratory analyzes food, water, beverages, and agricultural products to determine composition, contaminants, quality, and compliance.
Proximate Analysis
Determines primary food components including moisture, ash, crude fat, crude protein, crude fiber, and carbohydrates.
Water Analysis
Analyzes physical and chemical parameters to determine drinking water safety and environmental water quality.
Beverage Analysis
Assesses alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for quality, safety, authenticity, and nutritional value.
Contaminant and Residue Testing Capacity
These laboratory areas support the analysis of toxins, metals, pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, and active ingredients in products and agricultural produce.
Mycotoxins & Histamine Laboratory
Proposed laboratory for determining toxin levels in food products and agricultural produce such as cereals, legumes, fish, and fishery products.
ProposedMetallic Contaminants Laboratory
Performs analysis to determine the level of contaminants, essential elements, and other elements in various products and produce.
Being Set UpPesticide Residues Laboratory
Proposed laboratory for testing pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, other residues, and active ingredients in formulations.
ProposedTesting for Beverage Quality, Safety, Authenticity, and Nutrition
Physicochemical Parameters
- ✓ Alcohol by Volume and methanol
- ✓ pH, total acidity, and volatile acidity
- ✓ Specific gravity and density
- ✓ Color and transparency
- ✓ Dry matter contents
Chemical Composition & Nutritional Value
- ✓ Sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose
- ✓ Proteins and nitrogen content
- ✓ Vitamin C in fruit juices and non-alcoholic drinks
- ✓ Sugar profiles, carbonation, caffeine, and preservatives
Microbiological Analysis for Public Health and Product Safety
The Food Microbiology Laboratory analyzes food products, water, beverages, and related materials to determine microbial safety and quality.
GMO Testing
Tests genetically modified food using Real-Time PCR to detect genetic material that has been artificially altered.
Food Testing
Tests food samples for pathogens, spoilage organisms, toxins, aerobic plate counts, Salmonella, Listeria, and environmental swabs.
Antimicrobial Resistance
Detects, tracks, and characterizes resistant microorganisms entering the food chain, including resistant Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli.
Water Microbiology
Identifies bacterial, viral, and parasitic contaminants and monitors drinking water quality for microbial safety.
Beverage Microbiology
Tests process water and finished beverage products for harmful microorganisms, spoilage organisms, and regulatory compliance.
Accreditation Direction
The laboratory is seeking ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for yeast and moulds, as well as coliforms in water.
AMR Testing Role
The AMR laboratory supports food testing by identifying resistant microorganisms that may enter the food chain and threaten public health.