Testing for Food Contaminantion Caused by Heavy Metals and Toxic Substances
Toxic "heavy" metals present in marine water accumulate in shellfish flesh. Elements tested for regulatory monitoring include Arsenic, Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Antimony, Zinc, Chromium and Nickel.
Metal pollution may occur from direct sources (industrial and agricultural run-off) and indirect (undersea geothermal activity). A sanitary survey of any growing area may indicate the risk of pollution from other toxic substances e.g. pesticides and other organic pollutants.
Our services include:
- Heavy metals testing
- Testing for pesticides, veterinary medicines, industrial chemicals, process by-products and other organic pollutants
- Research and consultation
- Method development and validation
- Toxin isolation and identification
- Microbiological quality assessment tests (general microbiology and pathogens)
- Testing seafood & aquaculture for chemicals of concern such as malachite green, leucomalachite green, gentian violet, nitrofurans
- Testing for bioaccumulating POPs (dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs, BFRs etc) which are of key concern to feeds and dietary intake pathways
- Melamine
- Tutin
- Comprehensive testing for Plasticisers in foods and waters (Wellington Laboratory)
- Sudan Dyes
- Species Verification
Testing techniques
Bioassay, ELISA, GLC, GC-MS, GC-HRMS, HPLC, LC-MS/MS, ICP.OES and ICP.MS methods.
Related Content
Melamine Testing
Melamine is a chemical that is used in many ways including making kitchen and dining ware, surfaces for cabinetry, floor tiles and fire retardant fabrics.
It has also been used to adulterate various products and ingredients used as or in human and animal foods. There is now some concern that it is being used to ‘cut’ fertilisers and pesticides that are used to produce food.
Sometimes, however, very low levels are being found in foods and ingredients. These low levels do not arise from adulteration, and the causes and risks to consumers from this are under international investigation. Many Regulatory bodies are currently setting limits and guidelines for low level melamine content and AsureQuality is able to provide testing for melamine contamination in a wide range of foods at our Wellington Laboratory. Read more...
Tutin Testing
On 25th January 2009 New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) introduced new regulations which aim to prevent Tutin contaminated honey reaching consumers.Testing of honey for Tutin prior to packing is one of the measures that you can apply to meet the new standards.
AsureQuality has developed new testing methods which can monitor the Tutin levels in honey and is now offering this test to the apiary industry for both honey and comb honey. Read more...
Plasticisers
AsureQuality offers plasticiser testing for foods, beverages, ingredients and raw materials. Read more...
Testing - Sudan Dyes, Species Verification
We offer additional testing for food safety authorities to ensure their products are "true to label" and free from residue below internationally acceptable levels. Read more...
Sample Submission
We make the quick delivery of shipments from your door to our laboratories a priority to ensure sample integrity and rapid analysis and reporting so you can get on with business.
Read more...VirtualLab
AsureQuality's secure, web-based VirtualLab™ offers customers the ability to register samples and access test results in real time, 24/7, from anywhere in the world. Read more...
Accreditations & Registrations
As well as holding internationally recognised accreditation we undertake testing for national and international regulatory programs. Read more...
