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 Analysis of Food and DrinkLeicestershire Scientific Services is an Official Food Control Laboratory that provides Public Analyst services to a number of local authorities. The Food Safety Act requires that all food authorities must appoint a Public Analyst. A Public Analyst laboratory must carry out the authority's food testing. European Law requires that testing of official samples is carried out in an Official Food Control Laboratory.
We take part in various proficiency schemes, including the Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS).
- We analyse food
People are increasingly interested in the nutritional content of food. We provide full nutritional analysis for protein, fat, carbohydrate and energy. We offer hundreds of tests including fat analysis, sugars, salt, fibre, caffeine, gluten content and cocoa solids. We can analyse anything from single ingredients to full meals with many components.
- Ensure food is safe
We ensure that food is safe to eat, accurately described, free from harmful colourants, toxins, heavy metals, undesirable substances and of the quality demanded by the consumer. We can check that food containers and wrappings are suitable for their purpose and do not transfer constituents to the food.
- Provide information for consumer food complaints
We investigate consumer food complaints and provide expert witness reports where legal action is proposed. We can identify foreign bodies, suggest their possible origin, identify contaminants, moulds and chemical taints, confirm insect or rodent infestation, identify damage or hairs.
- Work with Trading Standards
Trading Standards submit samples to us for general monitoring or to query whether nutritional and compositional claims on the packaging or standards set by law are being met. We can advise on sampling procedures and guide sampling programmes.
- Food production testing
We work with food manufacturers, running tests on samples, to help them to ensure that their food production processes are operating as they should be.
- Test new products
We can provide full nutritional analysis for new products and advice on statutory labelling requirements.
- Test imported goods
We can check for compliance with UK and EU legislation.
- Analyse drink
We analyse alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. We can check, for example, if water has been added, whether colourings are dangerous, the alcohol content, and whether spirits are the brands they claim to be or a substitute.
Further information
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further information
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Last Updated:
13 November 2008
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