Key services

Nutritional composition

• Protein content: Critical for growth and muscle development in pets
• Fat content: Provides essential energy and supports skin and coat health
• Fiber content: Promotes healthy digestion
• Vitamins and minerals: Ensures balance and supports immunity and overall health
• Amino acid profile: Ensures essential amino acids for optimal health

Microbiological safety

• Pathogen testing (Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria): Ensures pet food is free from harmful microorganisms
• Total bacterial count: Indicates overall microbiological quality and potential spoilage
• Enterobacteriaceae: Monitors for spoilage organisms and pathogenic bacteria

Contaminants and adulterants

• Heavy metals: Ensures limits of toxic metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium are not exceeded
• Mycotoxins: Prevents contamination from fungal toxins harmful to pets
• Pesticides and Veterinary drug residues: Ensures safety from chemical exposure
• Melamine: Detects harmful additives to prevent fraudulent practices
• Toxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins): Detects toxins that can affect animal health

Specialised services

Eurofins Food & Feed Testing offers specialised services that cater to the unique needs of pet food manufacturers:

• Pet food authenticity and ingredient testing: Verifies the integrity of ingredients, ensuring the accuracy of labelling and preventing fraud (for example, meat content verification)
• Shelf-life and stability testing: Simulates the aging process to assess how pet food changes over time, focusing on freshness, nutritional retention, and quality preservation
• Formulation and nutritional testing: Provides detailed analysis of nutrients in the pet food to ensure that it meets pet-specific dietary requirements for health and longevity
• Custom testing solutions: Eurofins Food and Feed Testing tailors testing programmes to meet the specific needs of pet food manufacturers, helping them comply with regulatory and quality standards