The ALS Food Division specialises in analysis of food/nutraceutical/pharmaceutical raw materials and finished products and has the expertise and facilities to provide extensive analytical services.

Food Safety

Determination of Pathogens
Determination of Chemical contaminants
Determination of Pesticide content
Determination of Radionuclide content

HACCP Validation and Verification

Verification of control methods for HACCP procedures

Hygiene of production process and sanitization

Microbiological control of food during key phases of the production process
Control of cleanliness of working environment and technologies after sanitization

        

Technical Parameters

         Determination of chemical parameters
         Determination of technologically harmful micro organisms
         Determination of additive content

        

Research in the following areas

         Food Chain Contamination
         Health Risks Management
         New Technology Development

Food raw materials and ready meals

Determination of contaminant content
Determination of pesticide content
Determination of additives
Determination of preservatives
Determination of permitted levels of radionuclide
Determination of microbiological indicators

Foodstuff in launch phase

Food control in retail chains
Control of working environment after sanitization

Import and Export Goods

Food safety assessment

Catering Establishment

Chemical and Microbiological testing of raw materials and ready meals Feed
Monitoring of presence for selected mycotoxins

Monitoring of dioxins and PCB with dioxin effect
Determination of heavy metals content

SPECIALIZATIONS

POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZO-P-DIOXINS AND POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZOFURANS (PCDD/F)
AND POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS (PBDE)

PCDD/F are significantly toxic compounds able to survive in the environment and bioaccumulate in the fatty cells of humans and wildlife. ALS Czech Republic carries out dioxin analysis in a specialist laboratory situated in Pardubice which houses three high resolution mass spectrometers combined with gas chromatographs (HR-GC/MS). This technology, optimized processes and highly developed software enables the ALS to comply with stringent EU regulations for dioxin monitoring in foodstuff, feed and also give us the opportunity to participate in many significant research projects monitoring bioaccumulation of dioxins and flame retardants in biological tissues (e.g. blood, plasma, tissue) or indicator organisms used for determination of pollution in ecological niche.

Milk and dairy products
Meat, meat products and entrails
Fish and fish products
Fats and oils
Fruit and vegetables
Feed and raw materials
Biota

MYCOTOXINS

Mycotoxins (secondary metabolites of moulds) belong to a group of natural toxins found in food and are a cause of many illnesses. According to estimation of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) 25% of foodstuff are contaminated with mycotoxins. ALS Prague holds certification issued by the SUJB (State Office for Nuclear Safety) for "Handling highly hazardous biological toxins". ALS provides accredited tests to determine mycotoxin content in various food commodities and the raw materials used in the food and pharmaceutical industry, agricultural products and feed. HPLC instruments in Prague comply with EU regulations for sampling and testing of mycotoxins.

Analysed parameters

Aflatoxins
Ochratoxin
Zearalenon
Deoxynivalenon
Patulin

OTHER CONTAMINANTS

ALS also monitors other contaminants in foodstuff according to EC regulations. Heavy metals and 3-MCPD (3-monochlor-1,2-propandiol) are amongst the most frequent parameters determined. Samples are prepared and analysed according to EU legislation, including sub-sampling requirements.

Most frequently analyzed heavy metals

Mercury
Lead
Cadmium
Arsenic
Tin
Copper
Zinc

VITAMINS

There is a significant increase in the number of food products which are fortified with vitamins. Use and labelling of vitamins in foodstuff is regulated by a series of legal guidelines for complementary foods and special foods (e.g. baby food, dietary foods for specific medical purposes). A combination of modern equipment, an experienced team of chemists and the application of automated processes and modern methods enable this analysis.

Most frequently analyzed vitamins

Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamin D2 a D3
Vitamin C
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B2 a B6
Folic acid and Biotin

RADIOLOGY

According to State Office for Nuclear Safety guidelines ALS Czech monitors radionuclide content in specified food (e.g. milk, drinking water, specific commodities with a potential of higher radionuclide content and important commodities for export) and feed.

ALS provides testing services the determination of radionuclide content by gamma - spectrometry for exported/imported goods, control of maximum limits in monitored foodstuff, and drinking water control.

Most frequently analyzed parameters

Caesium
Iodine
Uranium
Potassium
Tritium

MICROBIOLOGY

In accordance with European regulations regarding microbiological contaminants in food, ALS offers testing to support both the control of final products, and 'during production' process hygiene control. ALS also provides determination of other pathogens and food spoilage bacteria. Our newly commissioned Microbiology laboratory is the most modern facility in the Czech Republic and is a center of excellence for Food analysis in Central Europe.

The purpose built facility consists of 360 M2 of laboratories including food water and pharmaceutical analysis suites accredited both to 17025 and to the State Institute for Drug Control (SUKL) standards. The Laboratory also conforms to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
Capable of handling over 1,000 samples per day the laboratory uses custom built incubator rooms to ensure capacity and temperature stability are never an issue. Sample receipt and holding are centralized in the laboratory with large scale chill and freezer room for sample storage and shelf life evaluation

Investment in automation including digital colony counters along with a highly experienced team of Microbiologists makes this facility one of the leading routine food laboratories in Europe

Most frequently analyzed parameters

TVC (Total Viable Count)
Yeast and Moulds
Enterobacteriaceae
Coliforms
E. Coli
Enterococci
Listeria Monocytogenes
Salmonella spp
Staphycoccus aureus
Coagulase-positive staphylococcus
Shigella spp.

OTHER SPECIALITIES

Nutritional Labelling Analysis
Viable Airborne Counts
Testing for endotoxins, LAL, Legionella