Testing and Quality Control

The experience we have gathered over 55 years working in testing and quality control, combined with the latest technology and a highly-qualified, multi-disciplinary team, all serve to guarantee our results. All our tests are carried out according to standardised operating procedures and official methods or methods recommended by the specific international organisations for each type of product (such as ISO, AFNOR, AOAC, AOCS and AACC).

Determinations list.

Physical and Chemical Testing

We carry out a wide range of physical and chemical tests:

• Composition analysis (immediate ingredients, fat- and water-soluble vitamins, characterisation of sugars, amino acids, fatty acids (saturated, mono-unsaturated, poly-unsaturated, Omega 3, Omega 6, EPA, DHA), sterols, etc.)
• Additives (acidifiers, antioxidants, preservatives, natural and synthetic colours, sweeteners, etc.)
• Toxic contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, antibiotic residues, medical product residues such as hormones, antibiotics, beta-agonists, etc.)
• Allergens (gluten, histamine, sulphites, and others)
• Anti-nutritive factors (hydrocyanic acid, theobromine, gossypol, glucosinolates and others)
• Rheological analysis of flours
• Metals and essential elements
• Physical characterisations (viscosity, pH, colour, Brix degrees, etc.)
• Development of new methods

We use the following techniques to carry out tests:

• Gas chromatography
• Liquid chromatography
• Atomic absorption spectrophotometry
• Infra-red spectrophotometry
• Visible UV spectrophotometry
• Nuclear magnetic resonance
• Thin-layer chromatography
• Immuno-testing (ELISA)
• Brookfield, Absolute and Cannon-Fenske viscometers

Microbiological Testing

The test laboratory carries out microbiological testing based on official or recommended methods. The preparation and culture areas are clearly differentiated and have been designed with no line cross-over. There is a laminar flow and UV radiation sterile area:

• Counts and research into virtually all micro-organisms and microbe groups of interest.
• Advice on handling and processes, to avoid the causes of germ contamination.
• Shelf-life and sterility studies.
• Water and environment microbiology.

Arbitration Analyses

OFICE offers the possibility of carrying out arbitration analyses in our laboratories and, if required, an analysis expert can travel to the laboratory where the initial test took place.