Food Additives Testing
& Preservatives Analysis

State-of-the-art food additives testing for preservatives, synthetic dyes, and antioxidants built to keep your formulations within FDA regulatory limits.

Accreditation
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 · PJLA #117946
Certificate
Cert L24-482-R2 · FDA LAAF Recognized
Methodology
HPLC · AOAC Validated Methods

Ensuring Compliance with Food Additives and Preservatives

Food additives testing 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. We also verify label claims like 'Sugar-Free' via nutritional analysis.

Accreditation scope: Our PJLA ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation (Cert L24-482-R2) covers benzoate & sorbate preservatives (SOP 056), the six certified FD&C synthetic dyes — Tartrazine (Yellow 5), Sunset Yellow (Yellow 6), Allura Red (Red 40), Brilliant Blue (Blue 1), Indigotine (Blue 2), Fast Green (Green 3) — by SOP 057, and the antioxidants BHA, BHT & TBHQ (SOP 049 / AOAC 983.15). Additional additives shown below (sulfites, parabens, calcium propionate, Erythrosine/Red 3, propyl gallate, and illegal-dye screening) are offered as non-accredited validated analyses.

Why Food Additives Testing Matters

Regulatory Compliance

Strict adherence to FDA limits for restricted 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 preservatives, synthetic colors, and antioxidants.

Preservatives Testing & Quantification

Preservatives Testing

Common antimicrobial preservatives are essential for extending shelf life but are heavily regulated. Our food additives testing protocols quantify these agents to ensure they are effective without exceeding FDA maximum usage levels. Confirm food quality parameters like pH are optimal for preservative efficacy.

Accredited Analytes (ISO/IEC 17025:2017)

Sodium Benzoate (benzoic acid) and Potassium Sorbate (sorbic acid) — by HPLC, SOP 056.

Additional Non-Accredited Screens

Parabens (Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl), Sulfites (SO2), and Calcium Propionate — offered as validated non-accredited analyses (outside the current PJLA scope).

Test Methods

HPLC-UV per SOP 056 for benzoates and sorbates. Sulfites by Ion Chromatography / Monier-Williams (non-accredited screen).

Technical Specs

Sample Size: 100g | LOD: < 10 ppm | Shipping: Ambient or Refrigerated

Accreditation & TAT

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited (benzoates & sorbates) | 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 comprehensive screening for synthetic dyes to detect the presence and concentration of the certified FD&C colors, ensuring they meet strict purity specifications.

Accredited Analytes (ISO/IEC 17025:2017, SOP 057)

FD&C Yellow #5 (Tartrazine), Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow), Red #40 (Allura Red), Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue), Blue #2 (Indigotine), Green #3 (Fast Green) — by HPLC-DAD.

Additional Non-Accredited Screens

FD&C Red #3 (Erythrosine) and prohibited-colorant screening (e.g., Sudan dyes) — offered as validated non-accredited analyses.

Test Methods

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

Technical Specs

Sample Size: 100g | LOD: < 1 ppm | Shipping: Ambient (Protect from light)

Accreditation & TAT

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited | 5 Business Days

Food Antioxidants Testing Laboratory

Food Antioxidants Testing Laboratory

Synthetic antioxidants prevent lipid oxidation and rancidity in fats and oils. Their use is strictly limited by weight of fat content, so our antioxidant analysis provides precise quantification to validate your formulation remains within safe limits.

Accredited Analytes (ISO/IEC 17025:2017, SOP 049 / AOAC 983.15)

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole), BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), and TBHQ (Tert-Butylhydroquinone) — by HPLC.

Additional Non-Accredited Screen

Propyl Gallate — offered as a validated non-accredited analysis (outside the current PJLA scope).

Test Methods

HPLC per SOP 049 (AOAC 983.15); GC-MS confirmation available on request.

Technical Specs

Sample Size: 100g | LOD: < 5 ppm | Shipping: Refrigerated (Protect from light & air)

Accreditation & TAT

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited (BHA, BHT, TBHQ) | 5-7 Business Days

Industries We Serve

Specialized analytical support for sectors that rely on safe formulations and preservatives. From beverage manufacturers monitoring sorbate levels to processed-meat producers tracking nitrite limits, our laboratory tailors panels and reporting cadence to the unique regulatory pressures facing each product category.

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 preservative and antioxidant levels 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 food additives testing and detection.

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

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

  • Gas Chromatography (GC-MS)

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

  • Method Validation

    All 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/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited

Accredited by PJLA (#117946, Cert L24-482-R2). Our scope covers benzoate & sorbate preservatives, the six certified FD&C synthetic dyes, and BHA/BHT/TBHQ antioxidants; additional additives are offered as non-accredited screens.

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 Food Additives Testing

Why is food additives testing important for regulatory compliance?
Food additives 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?
Under our accredited scope we quantify benzoates (Sodium Benzoate) and sorbates (Potassium Sorbate) by HPLC (SOP 056). We also offer non-accredited screens for 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 the six certified FD&C dyes within our accredited scope — Yellow #5 (Tartrazine), Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow), Red #40 (Allura Red), Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue), Blue #2 (Indigotine), and Green #3 (Fast Green) — ensuring they meet FD&C purity specifications and confirm accurate label declarations.
Can you detect prohibited additives or illegal dyes?
Yes, our 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. These prohibited-colorant screens are provided as validated non-accredited analyses.
What methods are used to quantify antioxidants in fats and oils?
We use HPLC (SOP 049 / AOAC 983.15) to precisely quantify the accredited synthetic antioxidants BHA, BHT, and TBHQ, with GC-MS confirmation available. 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 additive analyses is 5-7 business days. Expedited services may be available depending on the specific analytes and current laboratory capacity.

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Ensure regulatory compliance and safety with our accredited analytical services.

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