Why is it necessary to test milk and dairy products?

Milk provides essential nutrients and is a rich source of energy, rich in protein and fat. Milk contributes significant amounts of nutrients such as: calcium, magnesium, selenium, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and pantothenic acid.

Microbiological quality of milk plays a very important role in the production of safe milk and dairy products. If dairy products contain high levels of Bacillus Cerus, it will negatively affect the shelf life of the milk. Or if the Clostridium content in milk is too high, it will also affect the production process of cheese products.

Before placing dairy products on the market, businesses must test and declare them in accordance with Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP. Periodic testing of milk and dairy products is recommended as part of a quality and food safety management program, with the testing frequency determined based on product characteristics, regulatory requirements, and the food safety management systems implemented by the manufacturer.

Applicable regulations for milk and dairy products

• QCVN 28:2026/BCT – National Technical Regulation on Liquid Milk Products
• QCVN 5-2:2010/BYT – National Technical Regulation on Powdered Milk Products
• QCVN 5-3:2010/BYT – National Technical Regulation on Cheese Products
• QCVN 5-4:2010/BYT – National Technical Regulation on Milk Fat Products
• QCVN 5-5:2010/BYT – National Technical Regulation on Fermented Milk Products
• 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
• QCVN 8-3:2012/BYT – National Technical Regulation on Microbiological Contamination Limits in Food Products

Testing of milk and dairy products

Eurofins Food and Feed Testing Vietnam provides comprehensive Farm-to-Fork solutions for producers, importers, exporters, distributors, retailers, and brand owners of milk and dairy products. Through an integrated portfolio of testing, inspection, auditing, and certification services, we help ensure product quality, food safety, regulatory compliance, and market access.

Sensory and physicochemical analysis

Assess the overall quality of milk and dairy products through:

• Appearance, color, odor, and taste
• Acidity and pH
• Moisture content
• Fat content
• Protein
• Lactose
• Total solids
• Vitamins and minerals
• Fatty acid profile (DHA, ARA, EPA, omega 3, omega 6, and omega 9)
• Choline, carnitine, inositol, and taurine (for infant formula and specialized nutrition products)
• Other physicochemical parameters relevant to specific dairy product categories

Microbiological testing

Detect harmful microorganisms such as Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Cronobacter spp., coagulase-positive staphylococci, staphylococcal enterotoxins, and total microbial counts to support quality control, ensure food safety, and meet applicable regulatory requirements.

Heavy Metals and Contaminant analysis

Determine heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), aflatoxin M1, melamine, and other contaminants that may affect product quality and consumer health, supporting compliance with food safety requirements.

Antibiotic residue and prohibited substance analysis

Determine the presence of antibiotic residues, growth hormones, and other prohibited substances in milk and dairy products to support food safety control, compliance with applicable regulations, and market requirements.

Additives and colorants analysis

Determine and verify the presence of colorants, sweeteners, preservatives, flavorings, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and other food additives to support regulatory compliance and meet product technical 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

Determine the presence of allergenic ingredients such as gluten, milk, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and other allergens to support allergen risk management and compliance with labeling requirements.

Nutritional analysis

• Determine energy value, protein, carbohydrates, total sugars, fat, saturated fat, sodium, vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional parameters to support product labeling and nutrition claims.
• For infant formula and specialized nutrition products, analysis may also include choline, carnitine, inositol, taurine, DHA, ARA, EPA, and omega 3-6-9 fatty acid profiles.

Quality and authenticity verification

Detect food fraud practices such as dilution, ingredient substitution, or deviations in composition to support the verification of product authenticity, quality, and compliance with applicable requirements. Analysis may include verification of milk composition, fatty acid profiles, and other authenticity markers relevant to dairy products.

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.