CARO is an essential element in the protection of Canada’s food source. Through our national contract with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, we test fruits, vegetables and honey for chemical residues. Fortunately, these services are not limited to our government clients: many private sector clients and individuals trust us to provide them with accurate data relating to food safety questions. Much like our current testing of soil, water, air and tissue, we test food products for pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, microbiological parameters, metals, as well as many other potentially harmful contaminants. In addition to testing food products, CARO also offers microbiological environmental surface testing to be used during routine cleaning and safety checks.
Our Top 4 Food Tests are:
- Pesticides in Food – Over the past few years, Canadians have been increasingly vigilant of the quality of food theyare consuming. Pesticides and herbicides are still used in agriculture to protect our food source from pests, and we test for over 500 of them.
- PH and Water Activity in Food – This test indicates the Shelf Stability for Temporary Food Markets, according to the BCCDC.
- Microbiology Test Kit – Bacteria come in all shapes and sizes and while many are safe (and sometimes beneficial!) for consumption in moderation, high levels can lead to health problems. Many of these bacteria exist on food as the result of inadequate processing, contamination, poor sanitation, and poor food handling processes that may result in preventable food poisoning incidents. This is why we offer microbiology testing on surface swabs. A summary of the most common parameters to test for on swabs is provided below.
- Metals in Foods – Providing analysis of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury, you can request this testing through our online store.
Most common parameters for swab testing include:
- Total Coliforms – Generally harmless, but their presence indicates inadequate processing or contamination.
- Fecal Coliforms – Typically found in the feces of humans and animals but may also be found naturally in the environment.
- Escherichia coli – E.coli are members of the fecal coliform group and their presence is an indicator of direct fecal contamination.
- Salmonella – commonly found in the intestines of animals and birds, Salmonella is an indicator of direct fecal contamination.
- Total Aerobic Bacteria – Total Aerobic Bacteria represents the total number of bacteria able to grow in an
oxygenated environment. Their presence is typically used to monitor overall quality, and to detect significant
changes in quality, sanitation, processing, and food handling. - Yeast and Mold – often lead to spoilage of food products.
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Are you interested to know more about CARO’s food testing capabilities or receive a quote? Please contact us today.