Baby food and infant formula testing

Babies and young children are among the most vulnerable groups, making the quality and safety of their food a top priority. At Eurofins Food and Feed Testing New Zealand, we uphold the highest quality standards, making us a trusted partner for numerous baby food producers and retailers. Our analyses are conducted under accreditation, ensuring precision and reliability.

Ensuring safety and quality in infant formula

At Eurofins Food Testing, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards for testing safety and quality of the food manufactured for the most vulnerable consumers around the world. As a leading provider of food testing globally, we play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of the infant formula supply chain.

Key services

Nutrients

  • Nutrients (also “nutrition facts” for the USA and Canada), calorific value, protein, carbohydrates, fat, dietary fiber, salt (keywords: Big 4, Big 7, Big 8)
  • Vitamins and minerals
  • Amino acids
  • Fats
  • Trace elements
  • GOS/FOS

Microbiological testing

  • Screening of harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Cronobacter

Mycotoxins and biotoxins

  • Mycotoxins  
  • Aflatoxins  
  • Ochratoxin A (OTA)  
  • Fusarium toxins  
  • Ergot alkaloids (Clavine alkaloids)
  • Plant toxins  
  • Pyrrolizidine alkaloids  
  • Tropane alkaloids

Allergens

  • Plant-based allergens: e.g., gluten, peanuts, soy, tree nuts
  • Animal-based allergens: egg, milk protein
  • Pseudo-allergens: sulfite, lactose

Residues and contaminants

  • Pesticides
  • Veterinary drug residues
  • Metals and elements
  • 3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and esters
  • Furan
  • Acrylamide
  • Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH)
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
  • Plasticisers (e.g., packaging adhesives containing phthalates)
  • Bisphenols
  • Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (PCDD/F, DL-PCB)
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, especially non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs))

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

  • Screening, identification, and quantification of GMO components
  • Detection of botanical impurities

Specific carbohydrate analysis

Determination of important components and particle size

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs)

HMOs are the third most abundant solid components in milk after lactose and lipids. More than 200 different Milk Oligosaccharide structures have been identified in human and animal milk so far, with only few of them being available in large quantities. HMOs reach the large intestine undigested where, by acting as prebiotics, they promote the growth of beneficial gut microbiota. In addition, several studies have shown the importance of HMOs during a newborn’s development. Antiadhesive properties, immune modulation, and brain development are, amongst other, demonstrated health benefits that are related to HMOs.

Phospholipids

Phospholipids (PLs) are appreciated for their emulsifier properties but more recently also for their biological, neurological and cognitive functions, in addition to their physiological role in membrane composition. PLs have a great beneficial impact on the health of newborn babies especially in the areas of heart health, brain development, cell signing and immune function. The quantity and quality of dietary lipids in infant formula have a significant impact on health outcomes.

Fructans

Fructans, including inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), are added as ingredients to all kinds of food, feed and pet food products for their prebiotic effect. Fructans are important components in infant formula and they are strictly regulated by various authorities worldwide.

Particle size

Determination of particle size is the analytical testing name for the measurement of the average particle size and/or the particle size distribution of a powder or liquid sample. The particle size of a sample provides information about the physical properties of a product. In milk products the particle size has an influence on bulk density, stream properties, dust development and solubility. Particle size is also a physical property of influence when powders are mixed, where large differences in particle size could lead to segregation in the product.

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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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