Food testing labs help businesses maintain the first line of defense in serving the consumer public in its concerns for food safety and content. Food safety concerns are paramount, with food and beverage measuring and testing ensuring these needs are in focus. A savvy business will have these affordable costs built into its budget. Whether measuring the alcohol content of a beverage for a popular mixed drink, or determining the carbohydrate content of a food item, the provider will find more satisfied consumers by telling them what they want to know.

The twenty-first century consumer focus has reached beyond simple portion control. Topics that include trans fats, food quality assurance, food allergy testing, and determining life-threatening bacterial levels in produce, dairy products, meat, and poultry, have moved into mainstream consciousness. Fortunately, options abound for addressing the food and beverage measuring and testing. Food-testing labs are easily accessible in every locale throughout the United States, and have the food testing equipment you are likely to need. Just be sure to find a certified, reputable operation that is accountable under guidelines of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other federal agencies.

To best handle food measuring, testing and safety concerns, keep the following items in mind:

1. Review available product information on food measuring and testing equipment.
2. Know the advantage of a food industry consultation service when considering food safety testing.
3. Verify a lab's credentials, certifications, accreditation, and proficiency testing.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the best contacts and resources for testing and measuring food

If you are in the early stages of business development, you might consider a reputable food industry consultation or management service. These food and beverage companies can help you focus on what you need to find out and what the best lab is for your needs.

I recommend: KOR Food Innovation specializes in a wide variety of services for restaurants and other food and beverage businesses, including: menu planning, testing equipment, training, and more. Team Four Foodservice is a food industry operative that will help you address issues of food measurement and testing, food safety, and sensory analysis.

Determine your food safety testing needs

You might have a special, immediate food content or safety issue that is temporary--or you might determine that you will have ongoing needs to provide food testing and measuring results. If it is the former, choosing an appropriate food testing lab will satisfy your demand. If it is the latter, consider purchasing the appropriate equipment from a reputable company if it fits into your budget.

I recommend: NDC Infrared Engineering makes thousands of gauges for application-specific measuring that can determine the composition of moisture, fat, and protein, for instance, for thousands of natural and processed food products. Fisher Scientific provides food diagnostics and testing products such as rapid test kits, sampling tools, and physical properties testing equipment.

Find a food testing lab

Determine if you would best be suited to utilize an established food-testing lab and find one that is accessible to your locale and your specific needs.

I recommend: Contract Laboratory.com is a web-based platform for laboratory outsourcing where you can find a lab that is suited specifically for the service you need, and review its certification credentials to meet your standards. The Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), an arm of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), also maintains up-to-date information regarding lab certifications, issues in food and beverage quality and safety, and links to food industry news and issues.

Stay informed of the latest news on food and beverage measuring and testing, and safety alerts

You must keep current with federal regulations governing the food and beverage industry, and food safety concerns. Sometimes an accredited commercial lab will provide this kind of information in a concise and helpful manner on its website.

I recommend: Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc. is a diversified lab operation with a focus on the areas of public health, and food and beverage testing, in addition to manufacturing, energy, and environmental areas that might also directly affect food safety concerns. FoodSafety.gov is a source for food safety information and alerts issued by federal, state, and local government agencies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation provides a search engine for help in finding an accredited lab suitable to specific needs, and includes information on other pertinent credentials.
• •  Hundreds of national food safety programs and initiatives overseen by the US Food and Drug Administration, US Department of Agriculture, US Environmental Protection Agency, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention exist to educate and protect the public. Use these resources to learn about required food handling practices and recommended methods for food and beverage measuring and testing.