Why is food testing important?

Food testing can be described as the scientific analysis of food and its contents.  

This process is conducted by food manufacturers to evaluate the safety of food according to its microbiological, physical, or chemical composition. 

Lots of people underestimate the importance of food tests for the food industry. In fact, although it may be the last step in the food manufacturing process, it is the most critical one given it determines whether the food is safe to eat.  

Food testing also ensures that a certain level of quality is maintained across all food products. This consistency that can be achieved through food testing is integral to building a rapport with customers, cementing a good reputation for the company and supporting brand strategy. 

Given predictions that the global food testing market will grow even further in the coming years, it is crucial to explore and understand the importance of food testing. 

Why is it important to carry out food tests? 

Before food arrives on the plate of any consumer, there are a whole host of tests that must be conducted.  

These are called food tests, and they permit individuals operating in the food industry to analyse and inspect a product before it is packaged, bought, and consumed. 

It is imperative to conduct food tests as a means to protect food from harmful substances and hazardous contaminants like metals, pathogens, cleaning agents, additives, preservatives, pesticides and adulterants.  

Contaminants threaten the purity and safety of food at every stage. Although completely eliminating the risk of contamination is not always possible, by carrying out these types of checks we can help to ensure food is fit for human consumption. 

Food tests can also be productive in preventing human illnesses and foodborne diseases.  

As humans consume food, there is always the potential for contamination by harmful microorganisms such as viruses, parasites, bacteria and mould.  

However, checks can be made by those in the food industry to ensure there are no hazards or harmful contents in food that can negatively impact public health.  

More specifically, food tests can also be conducted to test foods that have been created to cope with extreme conditions. Information about these types of foods is collected and shared with the public, which contributes to a more informed group of consumers. Addressing public concerns about the safety of foods can also help nurture a reciprocal relationship between the consumer and food manufacturers. 

Food testing is also not just about removing harmful substances but can also be useful in testing and controlling the quality of a product. For the food industry, quality is intricately connected to the success and reputation of a food retailer and it can solely determine how many products it sells. 

Indeed, food quality is a huge issue in relation to global trade because there is a growing pressure and expectation to produce safe and reliable products. Therefore, in the modern food industry, making high-quality food products is no longer a luxury but a necessity. 

Of course, food testing is also an essential element in ensuring that food manufacturers are complying with the appropriate laws and standards, helping food retailers to provide the best and safest consumption experience.  

Moreover, proper food safety testing and quality control is also directly correlated to productivity levels for food businesses.  

When food tests are not conducted, the risk of food going to waste will increase. However, when food testing occurs, the volume of safe food that is produced can satisfy the growing demand for food products. 

It is important to note that food tests can only be productive if food safety testing is carried out on a regular basis and is accurate and precise.  

For example, results need to be updated consistently with any alterations noted when they’re made. 

How can testing food help production? 

Food testing is worthwhile for food production businesses because it safeguards customers from food-borne diseases. 

It can also help build a more informed and loyal workforce who are confident that the business has the best interests of the consumer at heart. 

Food tests can also accelerate the food production process as they prevent contaminated food from being sent back for evaluation.  

On a large scale, food testing can be a great solution to the growing demand for safe food and assist with a growing desire for sustainability. 

Furthermore, food testing solutions such as those provided by Calibre Control can improve the accuracy, consistency, and speed of the food production process by offering an effective way to collate consistent, reliable and repeatable analytical results while removing human error. 

What are the laws governing food testing? 

In recent years, there have been tighter rules introduced to govern food safety such as the Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 which specifies food safety criteria for relevant foodborne bacteria, their toxins and metabolites.   

This has coincided with a global interest in food safety. As a result, the Government is taking action to prevent foodborne illnesses. 

For those operating in the food industry, there are general rules that you are expected to follow. Food safety testing procedures are the responsibility of food handlers and food manufacturers.  

Every food business is required to conduct food safety testing and to have a food safety testing lab to help them meet agreed criteria. 

With regards to specific food testing laws, this process in the UK is divided between local, national and European authorities.  

For example, the main objective of the EU law regulation 'General Food Law' is to protect human health and consumer's interests in relation to food.  

Along with ensuring that food businesses adhere to food safety law at every stage of production, processing and distribution, this law calls for the quick withdrawal or recall of unsafe food placed on the market.  

It also supports food businesses with regards to the traceability of food, its presentation, and its content. 

What are the benefits of food testing? 

There are many benefits of food testing, including preserving public health by guaranteeing that food is free from physical, chemical and biological hazards.  

In general, food is an important source of vitamins and minerals which helps us function. However, when food gets contaminated, it can have severe ramifications for the person consuming it and the business supplying it.  

For the consumer, contamination can cause harm to their health with severe consequences in the most extreme cases. For a food producer, a high-profile case of contamination can have a devastating impact on their reputation if word spreads. 

For consumers to make healthy choices and to have a nutritious diet, they must be informed about the contents of the food they are purchasing, which can be facilitated by food tests.  

In this sense, food testing can also be cost effective as the company will save money in the long run by taking pre-emptive steps to protect themselves against future claims. For businesses who are conducting food testing, it is equally important to consider the many different types of contamination so that they can keep themselves covered. 

Furthermore, as food testing can also determine the quality of a product, food businesses are able to present evidence on the ingredients in their products in case there are any claims made against it. By conducting food tests across a number of different products, food manufacturers are also able to maintain a level of consistency across their brand, which can help generate more success and uphold their reputation. Food tests also allow food businesses to prepare for any potential inspections that are carried out to ensure that the food manufacturers are complying with the laws and standards.  

Of course, food testing is also instrumental for improving products as it can be deemed as a form of research and development. Consistently being able to produce high quality and uncontaminated food can be beneficial for a food company as it helps protect themselves from rumours or bad labels. In this regard, it helps elevate them above other competitors and safeguard their brand. It also allows them to maintain a high level of transparency with customers whereby they can be fully informed before purchasing. Food tests also help manufacturers in making nutritional labels as well as assessing the shelf life of each product.  

What are the different types of food tests?  

Food tests are methods by which certain elements of a food mixture can be found. There are numerous different food tests including moisture food testing, mycotoxin, the Hagberg falling number test, oil, inspection and grain. 

Firstly, moisture food analysis is an important factor to consider in the food industry. The amount of water in a food product has a direct impact on the products texture, shelf life, ease of processing and the cost of production. Monitoring the moisture content of these products allows food manufacturers to improve the quality of their product drastically. 

Furthermore, protein food tests can also be carried out to gauge accurate protein results. Alternatively, the Hagberg method is an incredibly important measurement for suppliers and producers and acts as the global standard for measuring grain quality and seed sprout damage. By measuring the enzyme activity in flour, this test is applicable for premium milling wheat quality control for bakery end product use. 

Moreover, Cereal testing can also be conducted to gauge accurate results on mycotoxin. A mycotoxin is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by fungi and has the potential to inflict disease and death on humans and animals. Therefore, it is important to take an inventory on the levels of toxins present in grains such as cereals to preserve public health. 

Of course, oil content can also be checked in cereal samples and measured with analysis tools. This is important to check as it is related to purity and shelf life. In addition, inspections can be carried out for grain analysis and seed inspection in order to test it for contaminants and to make sure it meets the appropriate standards. For grain food tests, it is also common to carry out test milling to check whether grain samples are meeting the specification that you purchased. On the other hand, grain sampling allows food manufacturers to monitor and control their grain and its quality. 

Thankfully, nowadays all of these types of food tests and more can be carried out with products supplied by Calibre Control which not only enhance the accuracy and speed of your results but are also incredibly easy to use and cost-effective. 

What food testing equipment is available? 

There is a wide range of equipment used for food testing including spectrometers, alcohol analysers, refractometers, titrators and moisture analysers. Depending on what type of food you want to analyse such as cereal or dairy and the results you are expecting such as nutritional content or properties, there are different machines that suit each purpose.  

A good instrument for food testing will be straightforward to use and provide instructions so that you can conduct analysis with ease. It should also provide accurate results and be speedy as well as meet the standards required for food safety and quality.  

Fortunately, Calibre Control can help potential customers as they have a huge variety of equipment and supplies that customers would benefit from using. By promoting effective testing solutions, Calibre Control is dedicated to meeting the needs of customers while adapting to the ever-changing world of food safety and quality.  

Curious about food testing? 

In order for a food business to operate effectively, food safety testing must be accurate, specific, precise, reliable and cost-effective which is why using the appropriate equipment is necessary. These types of machines will allow you to gauge information about the specific characteristics of food, including its structure, composition and physiochemical properties. 

For those who are curious about food testing for cereals, there is a wide array of cereal testing equipment to avail of. At Calibre Control, we have a wide variety of testing equipment available for Cereal Grain testing, both in lab and on farm equipment. We offer testing solutions for all stages of the grain chain, from farmers, buyers and processors of grain products to the breeders of new cereal varieties. For more information about testing equipment or to simply reach out to our team of experts, why not contact Calibre Control?