Food safety equipment is key to your business having a good reputation and staying in business. Testing your food and ensuring the quality will help keep clients coming back. Using food testing instruments will also assist your business in passing routine inspections. The food analysis instruments or tests need not be too pricey or cut into your profits, but it is an expense you cannot afford to skip.

You need to be able to guarantee the food testing chemicals used. You will also food analysis instruments or tests for nutritional information. Before you select food safety equipment or chemical analysis of food products, consider the following questions:

1. What local rules and regulations do you need to follow to maintain food safety?

2. How often does your business need to run chemical analysis food testing?

3. What budget do you have for food safety and testing chemical and instrument analysis?

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

Know the standards for safety before buying food testing instruments

There are national and local standards for food and lab safety. Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations for the protection of your business. Make sure your food instrument analysis meets those standards.

I recommend: The FDA has a site for food hazard analysis and critical control point, HACCP. Foodsafety.gov has a list of industry assistance for food safety and testing chemical and instrument analysis. The USDA has a list of state health departments.

Research companies that offer food testing instruments or analysis

Review web sites of companies that provide food chemical analysis. Pick a few companies that offer the testing your business requires. Consider paying for consultation services to make sure you have the most efficient use of food testing.

I recommend: Intertek offers your business food safety assessments, certifications and solutions. Northwest Analytical, Inc., has software to help businesses ensure safe food products, keep up with regulations and optimize profit. NDC Infrared Engineering has a range of instruments to measure moisture, fat or protein in foods. ABC Research Corporation is a food testing lab servicing the food industry.

Use food testing instruments for nutritional information

Consumers and regulators demand nutritional background on foods. You need the software, tools or labs to run the nutritional information on the foods you are selling or producing.

I recommend: Buchi Laboratory Equipment offers pre-calibration instruments for a variety of foods, from milk to rice to cheese. LabelCalc.com has a tool online to calculate the nutritional value of foods with lab formulas. Compu-Food Analysis, Inc., offers labratory nutritional analysis, regulatory compliance tools and labels.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure your employees have the training they need to keep up with your food safety requirements. Keep a notebook or folder of the latest rules for them to review.