Food Quality Testing

Ensuring product excellence through rigorous food quality testing. Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory delivers precise data on Water Activity, pH, Peroxide Value, Free Fatty Acid, and Titratable Acidity for stability, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Accreditation
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 · Cert L24-482-R2
Methods
AOAC, AOCS Validated
Metrics
Water Activity (Aw) & pH

Precision in Food Quality Testing & Analysis

Accurate food quality testing is the foundation of a successful brand. The physical attributes and chemical composition of your product dictate its safety, consumer acceptance, and batch-to-batch consistency. Our laboratory provides the analytical rigor required to validate these critical quality parameters under FDA and FSMA frameworks.

We move beyond basic compliance to offer comprehensive quality assurance. By focusing on critical indicators — Water Activity, pH, oxidative rancidity, and acidity — we help manufacturers maintain consistency across batches. Whether reformulating or launching new lines, our analysis empowers informed decisions regarding texture, organoleptic stability, and preservation efficacy.

Why Food Quality Testing Matters

Proactive quality assurance for your brand.

Brand Reputation & Consistency

Consumers expect the same taste and texture every time. Routine testing ensures every batch meets your defined specifications, protecting your brand from sensory variability.

Safety & Regulation

Meet strict FDA and ISO standards. Our protocols detect early signs of spoilage or chemical instability, ensuring products remain safe throughout their intended shelf life.

Shelf Life Optimization

Precise analysis of water activity and oxidation levels lets you optimize packaging and reduce food waste, validating the freshness claims on your label.

Food Quality Testing Parameters

Comprehensive technical specifications for our core quality tests, performed under our ISO/IEC 17025 scope.

Water Activity (Aw) Analysis

Water Activity Meter for Food Quality Testing

Water Activity (Aw) is a critical parameter that measures the energy status of water available for microbial growth. Unlike moisture content, Aw determines microbial susceptibility and texture stability, making it essential for predicting shelf life and safety in food, environmental, and water matrices.

Test Methods

AOAC 978.18, SOP 044 — Vapor Pressure technique. Range: 0.000 – 1.000 Aw.

Technical Specs

Sample Size: 100g | LOD: 0.001 Aw | Shipping: Ambient in sealed container

Accreditation & TAT

ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited | 24 Hours

pH Analysis for Food, Environmental & Water Samples

pH Testing for Food Quality Control

Monitoring pH is vital for both flavor consistency and preservation. Precise pH control enables pathogen prevention and maintains the desired organoleptic properties of beverages, dairy, acidified foods, and water samples.

Test Methods

AOAC 981.12, SOP 036 — Ion Selective Electrode (ISE). Range: 0 – 14 pH units.

Technical Specs

Sample Size: 100g or 100mL | LOD: 0.01 pH units | Shipping: Refrigerated or Ambient

Accreditation & TAT

ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited | Same Day

Peroxide Value (PV) Analysis

Oil Quality Testing for Freshness

A primary indicator of oxidative rancidity. Peroxide Value measures the concentration of peroxides formed during the initial stages of lipid oxidation, helping manufacturers verify the freshness of oils, nuts, and fried products through accredited oil-freshness analysis.

Test Methods

AOCS Cd 8b-90, SOP 067 — Titrimetric.

Technical Specs

Sample Size: 100g (extracted fat/oil) | LOD: 0.1 meq/kg | Shipping: Ambient (Protect from heat and light)

Accreditation

ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited

Turnaround Time

2-3 Business Days

Free Fatty Acid (FFA) Stability Analysis

Chemical Analysis for Food Stability

Elevated FFA levels are a sign of hydrolysis and lipid degradation. Monitoring Free Fatty Acids ensures that raw materials meet stability standards before they are used in production.

Test Methods

AOCS OM Ca 5a-40, SOP 063 — Titrimetric (alkalimetric).

Technical Specs

Sample Size: 100g (extracted fat/oil) | LOD: 0.01% as Oleic Acid | Shipping: Ambient (Protect from heat and light)

Accreditation & TAT

ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited | 2-3 Business Days

Titratable Acidity Analysis

Titratable Acidity Analysis

Titratable Acidity quantifies the total amount of acid in a sample and is a key indicator for fruit juices, dairy, fermented products, and acidified foods. It complements pH by measuring the buffering capacity of organic acids that drive flavor and preservation behavior.

Test Methods

AOCS OM Ca 5a-40, SOP 064 — Titrimetric.

Technical Specs

Sample Size: 100g or 100mL | Shipping: Refrigerated or Ambient

Accreditation & TAT

ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited | 2-3 Business Days

Industries We Serve

Tailored quality programs for stability-sensitive product categories.

Beverage Stability Analysis

Food & Beverage

Stability and flavor consistency for packaged goods.

Nutraceutical Quality Analysis

Nutraceuticals

Validating potency and purity in supplements through quality analysis.

Pet Food Stability Testing

Pet Food

Monitoring rancidity for palatability and safety across kibble and treats.

Oils and Fats Quality Analysis

Oils & Fats

Oxidative stability and shelf-life verification for cooking oils and fats.

Technical Capabilities

Accuracy is driven by validated methods and disciplined calibration.

Advanced Food Quality Testing Equipment
  • High-Precision Titrators

    Automated potentiometric and alkalimetric titration for Peroxide Value, Free Fatty Acids, and Titratable Acidity.

  • Vapor Pressure Aw Analyzers

    Validated AOAC 978.18 instruments for Water Activity measurement in food, environmental, and water matrices.

  • Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) pH Systems

    AOAC 981.12 calibrated daily against NIST-traceable buffers for defensible pH data.

Why Choose AGT Labs

Scientific partners in food quality and product development.

ISO 17025 Accredited

Recognized technical competence. Your results stand up to any regulatory audit.

Rapid Turnaround

Production can't wait. Standard analysis in 24-48h with same-day rush options on request.

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Expert Consultation

Direct access to technical experts who explain what the data means for your product's quality and shelf life.

Common Questions About Food Quality Testing

What is the difference between Food Safety and Food Quality testing?
Food Safety testing focuses on detecting hazards that cause illness (like pathogens or toxins). Food Quality testing evaluates attributes that affect consumer acceptance, such as texture, flavor, pH, water activity, and shelf-life stability.
Why is Water Activity (Aw) a critical quality parameter?
Water Activity predicts microbial growth and chemical reaction rates better than moisture content. Controlling Aw is essential for preventing spoilage, maintaining crispness in dry foods, and defining safety controls for non-refrigerated products. We measure it by AOAC 978.18 (Vapor Pressure).
How does pH affect product shelf life?
pH levels directly influence the growth of spoilage organisms and pathogens. Correct pH is also vital for the gelation of jams, the texture of cheeses, and preventing color degradation in beverages over time. We test by AOAC 981.12 using Ion Selective Electrodes.
What tests are used to determine if an oil is rancid?
We perform a rancidity panel including Peroxide Value (AOCS Cd 8b-90) to measure initial oxidation and Free Fatty Acids (AOCS Ca 5a-40) to measure hydrolytic breakdown. Together, these provide a complete picture of oil quality and freshness.
Can you help determine the shelf life of my product?
Yes. Our food quality testing program includes real-time and accelerated shelf-life studies that monitor rancidity, moisture migration, pH drift, and Aw shift over time to scientifically validate your "Best By" dates.
Is sensory evaluation part of food quality testing?
We focus on analytical chemistry, but those metrics directly correlate to sensory attributes. For example, FFA levels correlate with "soapy" flavors, and Peroxide Value correlates with stale or cardboard-like off-notes.

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