Coffee, oils, eggs, cocoa and dietary fats

Laboratory testing for safety, quality, and authenticity

Coffee, oil, eggs, cocoa, and edible fats share a high exposure to authenticity issues, process contaminants, and quality grading defects, making specialized analytical controls essential throughout the entire supply chain.

Ensuring the safety, quality, and authenticity of core foods such as coffee, oil, eggs, cocoa, and fats is fundamental due to their nutritional and commercial significance.

At Lifeanalytics, we deeply understand the needs of companies operating in these sectors. Every day, we stand alongside businesses to support them in guaranteeing raw material authenticity, accurate nutritional labeling, and final product safety. Our operations align with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, alongside category-specific regulations.

Coffee: a complex product to protect with precision

Coffee is one of the most loved and consumed products worldwide. Every cup hides a complex production process, including cultivation, roasting, grinding, and packaging. Each step can significantly impact the aromatic profile and safety of the product.

White cup filled with roasted coffee beans, with more beans scattered in the background, symbolizing the Coffee, Oil, Eggs, Cocoa, and Edible Fats service of the Lifeanalytics Food business unit To support businesses daily, our analytical solutions for coffee include:

Process contaminants control: testing for compounds like acrylamide and PAHs.
Mycotoxin analysis: specifically focusing on Ochratoxin A.
Sensory profile evaluation: conducted via panel tests and consumer testing.
Physicochemical and nutritional analysis: for compliant labeling.

Furthermore, we support companies in verifying the origin and authenticity of coffee - a crucial aspect in combating food fraud within such a competitive market. Our analytical activities also assist in monitoring roasting parameters, evaluating specialty coffee, and verifying blend quality.

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Oil: quality, classification, and safety

Olive oil being poured into a small white bowl, surrounded by green and black olives, bottles of oil, and olive branches, symbolizing the Coffee, Oil, Eggs, Cocoa, and Edible Fats service of the Lifeanalytics Food business unit Oil is a rich and complex food product that must follow precise regulations regarding its composition and labeling.

In particular, olive oil is regulated by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1401, which establishes its distinct commercial categories based on fatty acid and sterol composition. To support companies operating in this sector, Lifeanalytics offers:

Physicochemical and acidity analysis: to determine the commercial grade (e.g., extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, etc.).
Environmental contaminants analysis: testing for dioxins, PCBs, heavy metals, and plant protection residues.
Authenticity and food fraud testing: to identify undeclared blending or adulteration.
Sensory testing: performed in line with IOC (International Olive Council) standards to define the organoleptic profile.

Contaminant levels and nutritional declarations are addressed in compliance with Regulations (EU) 2023/915 and (EC) No 1924/2006. Our experts can also assist companies in clearly communicating product information on packaging, ensuring full compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims.

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Eggs: health controls and supply chain standards compliance

Rustic bowl filled with brown eggs on a wooden table, with some eggs scattered around, symbolizing the Coffee, Oil, Eggs, Cocoa, and Edible Fats service of the Lifeanalytics Food business unit Eggs and egg products require meticulous management and accurate testing to prevent microbiological and chemical contamination.

Our core services for this sector include:

Microbiological analysis: to detect the presence of Salmonella spp. and other pathogens.
Antibiotic and plant protection residue testing: performed on both feed and eggs.
Nutritional analysis: to verify declared label values.

Egg safety is also governed by Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, alongside specific regulations concerning hygiene (852/2004) and Salmonella controls (Regulation (EC) No 2160/2003). Every day, we assist companies in ensuring supply chain traceability, complying with animal welfare regulations, and securing compliance for export markets.

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Cocoa: a premium ingredient to value through accurate analysis

Wooden bowl filled with cocoa powder, surrounded by cocoa beans and husks on a dark wooden surface, symbolizing the Coffee, Oil, Eggs, Cocoa, and Edible Fats service of the Lifeanalytics Food business unit Cocoa is a precious ingredient whose quality varies depending on botanical variety, fermentation, drying, and processing methods. Controlling the aromatic profile, contaminants, and provenance is essential to guarantee a high-quality product.

Our activities supporting companies in the cocoa sector include:

Mycotoxin analysis: testing for aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A.
Sensory evaluation: assessing the aromatic profile through trained panel tests.
Process contaminants control: testing for PAHs and acrylamide.
Heavy metals analysis: particularly focusing on cadmium and lead.
Origin and authenticity verification: f ood fraud prevention.

Limits for contaminants such as heavy metals and mycotoxins are established by Regulation (EU) 2023/915. This is particularly critical for cocoa-based products intended for infants and young children. We also provide support in defining functional claims, such as those related to flavonoid content or raw processing techniques.

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Edible Fats: focus on composition and stability

Laboratory technician using a pipette to extract an egg from a test tube for laboratory analysis, symbolizing the Coffee, Oil, Eggs, Cocoa, and Edible Fats service of the Lifeanalytics Food business unit Edible fats, such as margarines, plant-based butters, refined oils, and animal fats (pork fat/backfat), are a foundational category in the industrial food sector. Companies must ensure a controlled composition, the absence of contaminants, and stability throughout the product's shelf life.

Lifeanalytics offers:

Fatty acid profile evaluation: verifying omega-3/omega-6 ratios.
Additive and lipid oxidation analysis: monitoring freshness and degradation.
Stability testing: to assess rancidity and commercial shelf life.
Nutritional evaluations: for accurate label formulation.
Production process validation support: technical assistance for manufacturing lines.

Regarding formulations for margarines and spreadable fats, general additive regulations (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and nutritional labeling standards (Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011) apply. Through our integrated services, we also provide support in developing alternative products, such as plant-based spreadable fats, to meet the demands of the plant-based market.

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Your trusted experts for Coffee, Oil, Eggs, Cocoa, and Edible Fats

Choosing Lifeanalytics means relying on a leading analytical partner for the coffee, oil, eggs, cocoa, and edible fats sectors, capable of turning laboratory data into operational safety and business protection. Every day, we help companies reduce the risk of non-compliance and recalls, and face audits and inspections with clear evidence to protect their brand value and market access.

At Lifeanalytics, we provide a comprehensive ecosystem of testing, consulting, and training services, backed by constant regulatory updates, to help companies make confident decisions and safeguard their business.

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