Why is it necessary to test grains, seeds, and nuts?

For businesses and manufacturers:
Product testing plays an essential role in verifying the quality, safety, and compliance of grains, seeds, nuts, and their derived products before distribution to domestic and international markets.

For consumers:
Testing helps ensure the quality and safety of grains, seeds, nuts, and related products, strengthening consumer confidence and reducing potential risks associated with unsafe food.

Regulations on the testing of grains, seeds, and nuts on the market

Currently, to place grains, seeds, nuts, and related products on the market, businesses must conduct testing and declare product quality in accordance with Decree 15/2018/ND-CP.

Furthermore, applicable testing parameters must comply with the requirements set forth in the following regulations and standards:

• QCVN 8-1:2011/BYT: National technical regulation on limits for mycotoxin contamination in food.
• QCVN 8-2:2011/BYT: National technical regulation on limits for heavy metal contamination in food.
• Circular No. 50/2016/TT-BYT: Regulations on maximum residue limits (MRLs) of plant protection products in food.
• Other national standards (TCVN) applicable to specific products
• International standards, CODEX, Southeast Asian regional standards, etc.
• Parameters requiring testing for cereals
• Nutritional parameters: Protein, fat, energy, carbohydrates, sodium, etc.
• Physicochemical parameters (organoleptic properties, moisture content, acid value, etc.)
• Microbiological parameters (Coliforms, E. coli, molds, etc.)
• Heavy metal parameters (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, etc.)
• Toxin parameters

For cashew nuts and cashew-based products, additional requirements may apply in accordance with AFI Specifications, TCVN 4850:1998 for cashew kernels, and QCVN 01-27:2010/BNNPTNT on food safety requirements for cashew kernels.

Testing parameters

Key parameters for testing cereals for compliance with the Ministry of Health's circulars and QCVN (National Technical Regulations) include:

Sensory parameters

• Appearance/state
• Color
• Odor
• Taste

Quality parameters

• Impurity content

Physicochemical parameters

• Moisture
• Energy
• Protein
• Carbohydrate
• Lipid
• Crude fiber
• Starch
• Total sugar
• Total ash
• HCl-insoluble ash
• Sodium (Na)
• Phosphorus (P)

Residue and contaminant parameters

• Pesticide residues
• Fumigants
• Phosphine
• Ethylene oxide (EO)

Microbiological parameters

• Total aerobic count
• Coliforms
• E. coli
• S. aureus
• C. perfringens
• B. cereus
• Yeasts and molds

Heavy metal parameters

• Lead (Pb)
• Cadmium (Cd)
• Arsenic (As)
• Mercury (Hg)

Mycotoxins

• Total aflatoxins
• Aflatoxin B1
• Ochratoxin A
• Deoxynivalenol (DON)
• Zearalenone

Grains, seeds, and nuts testing

Eurofins Food and Feed Testing Vietnam provides comprehensive Farm-to-Fork solutions, supporting producers, importers, exporters, distributors, retailers, and brand owners of cereals, seeds, nuts, and processed products containing these ingredients. Through an integrated portfolio of testing, inspection, auditing, and certification services, we help ensure product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and market access across global supply chains.

Sensory and physicochemical analysis

Evaluate the overall quality of the product through sensory and physicochemical parameters such as color, odor, appearance, moisture content, water activity (aw), nutritional composition, fat content, protein, carbohydrates, and other relevant quality attributes specific to each product category.

Pesticide residue and contaminants testing testing

Analysis of pesticide residues, fumigants, phosphine, ethylene oxide (EO), and other crop protection substances in grains, seeds, nuts, and their processed products to support compliance with the requirements of Vietnam and international markets, including the European Union, the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, ASEAN countries, and other key export destinations.

Microbiological testing

Detection and control of harmful microorganisms, pathogenic bacteria, total aerobic count, Coliforms, E. coli, S. aureus, C. perfringens, B. cereusy, easts, molds, and microbiological indicators to ensure product safety throughout shelf life.

Heavy metal and mycotoxin analysis

Determination of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), aflatoxins, Aflatoxin B1 Ochratoxin A,Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone OTA, ZEA, fumonisins, in accordance with applicable food safety requirements.

Additives and colorants analysis

Determine the presence and concentration of food additives, including colorants, sweeteners, preservatives, and other additives, to support regulatory compliance and product labeling requirements.

Processing and packaging contaminant analysis

Testing for acrylamide, PAHs (where applicable), MOSH/MOAH, packaging migrants, and other contaminants that may arise during manufacturing, processing, storage, or packaging.

Allergen testing

Detect the presence of allergens such as gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk, and other allergenic substances to support labeling compliance and help protect consumer health.

Nutritional analysis

Determination of energy, protein, carbohydrates, sugars, fat, saturated fat, sodium, vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional parameters to support product labeling and nutritional claims.

Food Safety Solutions

• Support for shelf-life and stability studies, product declaration and regulatory compliance, export market requirements,
• Nutrition labeling review,
• Customized technical and regulatory workshops, and implementation of GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, BRCGS, and customer-specific food safety requirements.

Environmental compliance testing and consulting services supporting food manufacturing operations

• Environmental monitoring programs,
• Industrial hygiene sampling, 
• Water quality assessment,
• Production environment monitoring, sanitation verification,
• Environmental compliance testing, and consulting services supporting confectionery manufacturing operations.