Food Testing Services
Wickham Laboratories Ltd is an independent contract analytical laboratory established for over 40 years. The Microbiological Food Testing service has been successfully examining food and agriculture produce for over 20 years. Located in rural Hampshire, our experienced Food Microbiology team offers a high degree of knowledge and expertise. Our procedures are UKAS accredited to the requirements of ISO 17025 and the majority of the methods are based on current ISO standards.
Our mission is to responsibly treat each of our customer food companies independently and confidentially. Our customers look to Wickham Laboratories as being the experts in our field, confident that testing is being performed with precision and speed, as well as frequently relying on technical advice as and when required. We take pride in having a reputation for providing a cost effective service with high quality standards.
Why Outsource your Food Testing to Wickham Laboratories?
The diverse nature of foods available to the consumer has meant that compliances and regulations demand more rapid, complex and stringent test protocols. Wickham Laboratories Ltd has the flexibility, collective expertise and latest equipment to accommodate test regulations dictated by changing compliances. Consequently outsourcing has become the preferred option for many food producers, also allowing them to control costs and overheads.
Our approach is to listen and understand your outsourcing requirements. We will ensure that our proposals translate into tangible benefits through Outsourcing with Wickham Laboratories Ltd.
Wickham Laboratories Food Testing Capabilities
The Food Services department at Wickham Laboratories provides testing support for all areas of the food and agriculture industries - from screening of raw materials to the analysis of finished products. The department provides a comprehensive range of tests to satisfy both microbiological and chemical analysis requirements. Microbiological tests are undertaken for a variety of bacterial pathogens, and chemical tests provide useful nutritional analysis and labelling information.
Our services are approved by UKAS (testing number 1244) for food microbiology and by DEFRA for microbiological screening of animal by-products, feeds and pet foods. Any tests not included on the schedule of UKAS-approved test methods are conducted in accordance with our quality system and as such, conform to the requirements of GLP, GMP and ISO 17025.
Services are fast, accurate and competitively priced and include a sample collection service centred around the South of England.
Services include:
Food Microbiology
- Enumeration Methods (plate counts)
- Detection Methods (presence/absence testing)
- Potable Water Testing
- Identification of bacterial isolates
- Foreign body assessment
- Shelf-life testing
Food Chemistry
(sub contracted service to approved laboratories)
- Full nutritional analysis including:
- Mineral & Vitamin analysis
- Fat profiles
- Dietary Fibre
- Rancidity Assessment
- Meat Content Analysis
- Mycotoxins & Allergens / GMO's
- Biological oxygen demand, suspended solids in environmental waters
On site consultancy services are also available to provide advice on food handling and processing issues as well as site auditing and HACCP system support.
The Food Services department delivers a programme of training sessions covering topical elements of food microbiology. Subjects include HACCP, Microbiology & HACCP, Hygiene auditing of manufacturing premises, Microbiology for the novice, intermediate - Advanced Microbiology & Interpreting Microbiology.
Analytical Food Testing
Food manufactured for consumption is controlled through many regulations. These are either statutory law or adopted as good manufacturing practice (GMP). Food producers, manufacturers and retailers need to ensure that foods will not be harmful to public health.
The food and retail industry takes safety and quality seriously. One aspect of this commitment to the consumer is the investment that Food producers make in implementing microbiology test plans.
Microbiological test plans involve the testing of:
- Ingredients
- Finished products
- Shelf Life Assessment
- Surface swabbing of food processing environments
The intensity of testing that a food company implements should be based on a sound risk assessment, drawing on information regarding:
- Type of raw ingredients used and their likely contamination with micro organisms
- Nature of the manufacturing process in terms of its detrimental impact on micro organisms
- Level of automation in the process and conversely, human intervention
- Design of the manufacturing facility and therefore control of cross contamination
- Shelf life of the end product
- Intended end consumer
- Scale of manufacture
Once a sensible testing plan is approved, the necessary microbiological product safety assessment is achieved in the laboratory.
Food Testing Services - Results & Reporting
Results are reported by either conventional or electronic formats. Depending on the customers needs the data can be faxed, phoned, e-mailed or provided as hard copy. As a standard service we offer a monthly results summary spreadsheet including basic statistics. Results format can be supplied bespoke to suit the customer's needs and certificates are often sent out the same day as results are read in the laboratory. We provide assurance to our clients through proactive communication.
Individual samples and results may be discussed with the staff that analysed them. Very rarely will a microbiologist be unable to talk directly to you immediately!
Consultancy Support & Advice
In addition to laboratory services mentioned Wickham Laboratories Ltd offers a variety of support services, including:
- Advice on hygiene monitoring
- HACCP & food safety issues
- Independent hygiene inspection services
- Food microbiology training courses
Download our product sheet using the link below to find out more about this service.