Analysis of herbs and spices

Throughout the entire supply chain, we offer quality assurance measures for raw spices, intermediate products or finished products as well as herb and spice mixtures. Whether growing, exporting, importing, trading, or selling herbs and spices, you will always find qualified experts for your specific needs within the Eurofins network of Food & Feed Testing laboratories.

Let us help find your solution

We are your spice testing experts, our knowledge of the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) procedures helps ensure you deliver the highest quality finished products.

Don’t see what you’re looking for below? We offer an expansive suite of testing services. Reach out to learn more about our full capabilities.

Residues and contaminants

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  • Pesticides
    • Multiscreening (>700 substances)
    • Single Parameter (e.g. Glyphosate)
    • Group Parameter (Dithiocarbamates, Phenoxycarboxylic Acids)
    • Polar Parameter (e.g. Kasugamycin, Glufosinate, Chlorate, Perchlorate)
  • Heavy metals and elements (inorganic contaminants)
  • Pyrrolizidine alkaloids/Tropane alkaloids (PA/TA)
  • Fumigants (e.g. ethylene oxide, methyl bromide, phosphane)
  • Mycotoxins (e.g. Aflatoxins, OTA, Alternaria Toxins)
  • Illegal dyes (e.g. Sudan dyes, Para Red)
  • MOSH/POSH/MOAH
  • PAHs
  • Solvent residues
  • Irradiation

Microbiology and hygiene

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  • DGHM requirements
  • THIE requirements
  • Indicator germs
  • Pathogenic germs
  • Spoilage pathogens
  • Challenge tests

Authenticity

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  • NMR profiling
    • Dilution with/addition of foreign substances (e.g. starch, preservatives)
    • Mislabeling: substitution of species varieties, mixtures
    • Use of by-products from the same plant (e.g. cinnamon bark in cinnamon powder)
  • Plant speciation by Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
  • Microscopy (e.g. foreign plants)
  • Detection of banned dyes (by LC-MS/MS), such as Sudan and Para Red

Specific parameters

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  • Natural ingredients, e.g. coumarin, piperin, capsaicin, cresol, vanillin, ethyl vanillin
  • Flavor components
  • Essential oils
  • Filth test
  • Allergens
  • GMOs
  • Moisture content
  • Ash (total, acid-insoluble)
  • Extract (ether, water, alcohol)
  • Volatile sulfur compounds (garlic)
  • Allyl isothiocyanate (mustard)
  • Saffron characteristics
  • Nicotine, acrylamide, 3-MCPD
  • Dixoins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls

Additional services

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  • International sampling at the point of origin in over 100 countries
  • Labelling control aligned with national and international regulatory standards
  • Nutritional analysis

Your partner for herbs and spices testing. Let's find your solution.

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