Food Additives and Preservatives Testing

State-of-the-Art Chemical Analysis for Food Additives, Synthetic Dyes, and Antioxidants to Ensure Regulatory Compliance.

Accreditation
ISO/IEC 17025:2017
Validation
FDA LAAF Recognized
Methodology
AOAC & FDA BAM Validated Methods

Ensuring Compliance with Food Additives and Preservatives

Testing for food additives and preservatives is a critical step in verifying product safety and regulatory compliance. Under FDA 21 CFR regulations, manufacturers must ensure that ingredients like chemical preservatives and synthetic color additives remain within safe consumption limits (known as GRAS status).

Whether you are verifying the concentration of antimicrobial preservatives like Sodium Benzoate to inhibit microbial growth, or ensuring your synthetic dyes match their FD&C specifications for purity, our laboratory utilizes High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to deliver accurate data you can trust.

Why Additive Testing Matters

Regulatory Compliance

Strict adherence to FDA limits for restricted food additives is non-negotiable to prevent costly recalls.

Labeling Accuracy

Verify claims such as "No Artificial Preservatives" and specific color declarations (e.g., "Yellow No. 5") with analytical proof.

Export Certification

Screen products for international export readiness, ensuring compliance with bans on specific dyes or synthetic antioxidants.

Detailed Analysis Catalog

Targeted quantification methods for chemical food additives and preservatives.

Preservatives Testing & Quantification

Preservatives Testing

Common antimicrobial preservatives are essential for extending shelf life but are heavily regulated. Our specialized food additives and preservatives testing services quantify these agents to ensure they are effective without exceeding FDA maximum usage levels.

Analytes

Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Parabens (Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl), Sulfites (SO2), and Calcium Propionate.

Test Methods

HPLC-UV (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) or Ion Chromatography for Sulfites.

Accreditation & TAT

ISO 17025 Accredited | 3-5 Business Days

Synthetic Dyes and Color Additives Analysis

Synthetic Dyes and Color Additives Analysis

The FDA requires batch certification for synthetic color additives used in food. We perform synthetic dyes analysis to detect the presence and concentration of the seven allowable FD&C colors, ensuring they meet strict purity specifications and labeling requirements.

Analytes

FD&C Red #40 (Allura Red), Yellow #5 (Tartrazine), Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow), Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue), Blue #2, Green #3, Red #3.

Test Methods

HPLC-DAD (Diode Array Detection) or UV-Vis Spectrophotometry.

Accreditation & TAT

ISO 17025 Accredited | 5 Business Days

Food Antioxidants Testing Laboratory

Food Antioxidants Testing Laboratory

Synthetic antioxidants are widely used to prevent lipid oxidation and rancidity in fats and oils. However, their use is strictly limited by weight of fat/oil content. Our antioxidants testing provides precise quantification to validate that your formulation remains within safe limits for consumer health.

Analytes

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole), BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), TBHQ (Tert-Butylhydroquinone), and Propyl Gallate.

Test Methods

HPLC or GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry).

Accreditation & TAT

ISO 17025 Accredited | 5-7 Business Days

Industries We Serve

Specialized testing for sectors relying on safe food additives and preservatives.

Beverages Preservatives Testing

Beverages

Monitoring preservatives like Benzoates and Sorbates in soft drinks.

Confectionery Dyes Testing

Confectionery

Verifying synthetic dye concentrations in candies and sweets.

Processed Meats Additives

Processed Meats

Testing for Nitrates, Nitrites, and antioxidants in cured products.

Fats & Oils Antioxidants

Fats & Oils

Ensuring TBHQ and BHT levels are within limits for cooking oils.

Technical Capabilities

Advanced chromatography and method validation for precise additive detection.

Chromatography Equipment for Additives Analysis
  • High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

    The primary tool for separating and quantifying non-volatile preservatives (benzoates, sorbates) and synthetic dyes with high specificity and resolution.

  • Gas Chromatography (GC-MS)

    Employed for volatile antioxidants (like BHA and BHT), allowing for molecular fingerprinting and confirmation of compound identity at low levels.

  • Method Validation

    All additive analysis methods are validated for linearity, accuracy, and precision according to AOAC and FDA PAM guidelines to ensure data integrity.

Partner with AGT Labs

From formulation to shelf, we provide the chemical data necessary to launch safe food products.

ISO 17025 Accredited

Our scope of accreditation includes key food additives and preservatives analysis.

Regulatory Expertise

We help interpret results in the context of US FDA and international limitations.

Formulation Support

Identifying over-usage or degradation of additives to help you refine your recipe.

Common Questions About Additive Testing

Why is food additive testing important for regulatory compliance?
Food additive testing is essential to verify that your product meets strict regulatory limits set by agencies like the FDA. Ensuring ingredients such as preservatives and colors are within safe consumption levels (GRAS) helps prevent costly recalls and protects public health.
What specific preservatives do you test for?
Our laboratory commonly tests for antimicrobial preservatives including Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sulfites, Parabens, and Calcium Propionate, which are widely used to extend shelf life in various food products.
How do you verify the purity of synthetic food dyes?
We use High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to analyze synthetic dyes (such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1). This ensures they meet FD&C purity specifications and confirm accurate label declarations.
Can you detect prohibited additives or illegal dyes?
Yes, our advanced screening methods can detect unauthorized colorants (like Sudan dyes) and other non-permitted additives, ensuring your products are safe for both domestic consumption and international export.
What methods are used to quantify antioxidants in fats and oils?
We utilize gas chromatography (GC-MS) or HPLC to precisely quantify synthetic antioxidants such as BHA, BHT, and TBHQ. This confirms that these additives do not exceed the maximum allowed limits based on the fat or oil content.
What is the typical turnaround time for additives testing?
Standard turnaround time for most food additive analyses is 5-7 business days. Expedited services may be available depending on the specific analytes and current laboratory capacity.

Ensure Your Production Hygiene

Validate your sanitation protocols with accredited microbiological testing.

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