Analysis of tea and herbal infusions

Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories support you along your entire value chain: from sampling on site, testing of both raw materials and finished products, to labelling checks or analyses of packaging. We advise you on all relevant analyses specific to your teas or raw products.

Eurofins Food & Feed Testing provides comprehensive testing services to ensure tea quality, regulatory compliance, and safety, using advanced analytical methods and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.

Chemical and toxicological analysis

Tea leaves can accumulate a variety of harmful chemicals depending on how they are grown, processed, and stored.

Key testing parameters:

  • Pesticide residue testing: Analysis of pesticide levels to ensure they are within safe, legal limits
  • Heavy metals: Testing for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, which are toxic to human health
  • Mycotoxins: Detection of toxins produced by fungi, such as aflatoxins, which are common in improperly stored agricultural products

Caffeine content analysis

  • Caffeine levels in tea vary widely depending on the type and brewing method. Accurate quantification is essential for labelling and consumer information

Antioxidants and polyphenols content

Tea is rich in antioxidants, including polyphenols, which are believed to offer various health benefits. Quantitative analysis helps in assessing the quality and health claims of tea products.

Microbiological testing

Ensuring the microbial safety of tea is crucial, especially to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Key testing parameters:

  • Pathogen testing: Detection of salmonella, E. coli, and other harmful bacteria
  • Total plate count: Assesses the overall cleanliness and quality of the tea

Sensory evaluation

Sensory testing assesses the taste, aroma, colour, and appearance of tea, which are critical for consumer satisfaction.

Advanced analytical techniques

Eurofins Food and Feed Testing employs the latest technology for precise testing of tea products.

  • High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for detailed chemical profiling of tea components
  • Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for accurate detection of trace metals
  • Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for identifying organic compounds in tea

Legal bases and guidelines

Consultation and quality assurance services

Eurofins Food & Feed Testing offers consultation services to help manufacturers meet regulatory requirements and improve product quality.

  • Regulatory compliance guidance: Assistance with national and international regulations
  • Product development support: Optimising tea blends for quality and compliance
  • Risk assessment and toxicological evaluation: Assessing potential health risks associated with tea products

Get in touch

Would you like to find out more about our testing solutions, or do you need tailored analytical support? Contact us today to get in touch with our experts.

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