Staffordshire Scientific Services

Food

Consumer Food

Introduction

Staffordshire Scientific Services has been carrying out this type of work since it came into existence. Our qualified chemists and microbiologists possess a wealth of experience and expertise in food contamination from a variety of sources including foreign bodies (animal and man-made), moulds and chemical taints. In addition examinations are undertaken where there is doubt about the quality and fitness of the food for human consumption. Reports of the examination findings may form the basis of court prosecutions and scientific staff regularly attend court as expert witnesses.

• Examples of the type of investigation undertaken are:
• Foreign Bodies: Identification, possible origin, processed with the food
• Insect Infestation: Identification and determination of phosphates. enzyme.
• Rodent Infestation: The presence of rodent droppings, damage or hairs.
• Food Quality: The presence of added water in milk or alcoholic beverages.
• Contamination: Foods with unpleasant taints or suspected of causing illness.
• Moulds: Identification and an assessment of the duration of growth
• Food Spoilage :Rancidity, protein breakdown, bacteria growth and fermentation
• Natural Products: Naturally occurring substances mistaken for foreign bodies e.g. crystallised salts having the appearance of glass

The food manufacturers' technical representatives have opportunities to inspect any alleged food complaint. This may take place either at Environmental Health Offices, Trading Standards Offices or the Laboratory.

Food Analysis

Introduction

The 1990 Food Safety Act sets in place a number of fundamental requirements for food consumed by humans in that it;

1. Must be of the nature, substance and quality demanded by the purchaser
2. Must be fit for human consumption
3. Must not be injurious to health
4. Must not be contaminated, and
5. Must not be falsely described, advertised or presented

Staffordshire Scientific Services examines foodstuffs to ascertain whether they comply with the Act and with regulations and codes of practice made under the Act. These foodstuffs are examined for compliance with:

• Compositional regulations and codes of practice.
• Additive regulations, e.g. preservatives, colours, vitamins, sweeteners.
• Labelling regulations.
• Regulations and standards for contaminants, e.g. lead, pesticide residues, toxins.

Specialist Services

Food technology and the legislation that control the production and sale of food is constantly changing. Higher standards are imposed which necessitate the introduction of more complex and highly specialised analytical procedures in the laboratory.

Specialist applications available through Staffordshire Scientific Services include;.

• Determination of allergens such as peanuts, lactose, colours and MSG
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
• Veterinary residues in food
• Antibiotics in milk, meat and meat products
• Pesticides
• Monochlorodiol in processed food.

The above list is not exhaustive and laboratory staff will be pleased to discuss your individual requirements.

Public Sector Purchasing

Introduction

Local authority departments spend considerable sums of money on consumable goods e.g. catering in Education and Social Services Departments. Staffordshire Scientific Services is able to provide an analytical and scientific advisory service to purchasing departments in relation to the supply of these goods and does so on request.

The range of products typically submitted to the laboratory for analysis and evaluation includes-

• Meat and Meat Products
• Flour Confectionery
• Soft Drink
• Polishes
• Dairy Produce
• Soaps and Detergents
• Bleach and Disinfectants
• Paper
• Plastic refuse sacks
• Cement mortar and screeds

All consumables are examined for compliance with compositional regulations, codes of practice and contract specifications.

Operation of analytical services

Samples are normally submitted after consultation with senior laboratory staff who are able to help in the preparation of performance specifications and to advise on sample numbers and a timescale for the analysis. Consumables are examined prior to the selection of suppliers in order to determine exactly what the local authority is being offered. Further samples from normal deliveries are examined to ensure compliance with contract specifications.

In this way Scientific Services is able to assist local authorities in obtaining materials of consistent quality and in implementing and operating council policies such as 'healthy eating'.

Service benefits

The outsourcing of some public sector services such as catering and contract cleaning may involve safeguards to prevent a deterioration of standards.

As a result, private sector organisations may also wish to take advantage of the testing and evaluation offered by Staffordshire Scientific Services and laboratory staff are on hand to discuss particular requirements.

Last Modified: 11/11/2005 13:31:28
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