Food Contaminant Testing Services

Trace Contaminant Detection and Risk Management

Food contaminant testing identifies unauthorized chemical residues, trace toxins, and environmental pollutants across raw ingredients and finished products. Mérieux NutriSciences provides trace-level testing through a global network of ISO 17025-accredited laboratories. Utilizing advanced GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, and ICP-MS instrumentation, our testing services help food manufacturers manage supply chain risk, prevent product recalls, and maintain regulatory compliance.

Antibiotic and Veterinary Drug Residue Analysis

Testing for antibiotics and veterinary drugs prevents non-compliant animal-derived products from entering the supply chain. Mérieux NutriSciences screens for over 100 veterinary drug compounds to ensure adherence to domestic food safety standards and international trade requirements.

• Targeted Analytes: Screening for antibiotics, hormones, beta-agonists, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
  
  
• Global Trade Support: Verification of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for international export compliance.

Heavy Metal Testing and Trace Element Analysis

Heavy metal testing measures toxic trace elements that accumulate in food supply chains due to environmental exposure. Analysis focuses primarily on strictly regulated product categories, including baby food, dietary supplements, and agricultural commodities.

• Core Heavy Metals: Quantitative analysis of Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Mercury.
  
  
• High-Sensitivity Instrumentation: Utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to achieve parts-per-billion (ppb) detection limits.
  
  
• Extended Panel Testing: Testing suites for chromium, selenium, inorganic tin, and other trace elements.

Mycotoxin Screening in Agricultural Commodities

Mycotoxin analysis detects toxic secondary metabolites produced by molds in grains, nuts, spices, coffee, and dried fruit. Mérieux NutriSciences applies validated extraction methods to isolate and quantify fungal toxins across complex food matrices.

• Key Analytes: Testing for Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1), Ochratoxin A, Fumonisins, and Vomitoxin (DON).
  
  
• Precise Detection: Accurate measurement even in difficult matrices like coffee and dried fruit. 

Pesticide Residue Screening and Regulatory Compliance

Pesticide testing screens raw and processed food items for hundreds of chemical compounds to ensure compliance with legal residue thresholds, including USDA Organic (NOP) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP 561) standards.

• Multi-Residue Screens: Comprehensive analysis of over 600 pesticide active ingredients via GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS.
  
  
• Targeted Assays: Specialized testing for plant growth regulators, specific fungicides, and herbicides.
  
  
• MRL Verification: Aligning analytical data against destination-country Maximum Residue Limits. 

Process Toxins and Emerging Chemical Contaminants

Emerging contaminant testing identifies newly regulated environmental pollutants and chemical toxins generated during food processing or migrated from packaging materials.

• PFAS Analysis: Quantifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ("forever chemicals") in food products, water, and packaging.
  
  
• Food Contact Materials: Testing for Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH), Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH), Bisphenol A (BPA), and Phthalates.
  
  
• Thermal Process Toxins: Measuring Acrylamide, 3-MCPD, and Glycidyl Esters formed during high-heat manufacturing.