Dietary Foods, Plant-Based and Vegan Food
Our services for the safety of dietary, plant-based and vegan foods
The food industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a growing interest in dietary, plant-based, and vegan foods. Consumers are increasingly informed and are seeking products that are not only healthy, but also sustainable and free from animal-derived ingredients.
This trend has led companies in the sector to develop new formulations, enhancing product safety and compliance through in-depth analyses and rigorous certifications.
Dietary, plant-based, and vegan products are not just passing trends, but rather responses to specific nutritional and health needs. From reducing environmental impact to improving physical well-being, these food categories are steadily gaining popularity. However, ensuring the quality and safety of these products requires particular attention at every stage of the production process — from raw material sourcing to distribution.
With the rising demand for meat and dairy alternatives, the food sector faces new challenges, such as the need to balance nutritional value in formulations, prevent cross-contamination, and ensure that all ingredients meet high-quality standards. In particular, they must comply with European regulations — notably Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on food labeling and Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on food hygiene.
Certification and quality control have become essential tools for gaining consumer trust and avoiding issues related to food safety.
Ensuring that dietary and plant-based foods are high-quality and safe is not just about meeting consumer expectations; it is also a critical requirement for operating in both domestic and international markets.
Our experts are here to support companies with a cutting-edge scientific approach, offering laboratory analyses, stability testing, process validations, and market research. In doing so, we help businesses ensure that their dietary, plant-based, and vegan products are compliant and successful in the market.
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Safety and quality of plant-based and vegan products
Working with dietary, plant-based, and vegan foods presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to safety and quality. From preventing cross-contamination to ensuring nutritional values remain stable over time, there are many factors to consider. With the rising demand for plant-based alternatives and specialized foods, it has become essential to constantly monitor nutritional parameters, contaminants, and organoleptic properties to ensure compliance with both consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.
Moreover, the shelf life of these products is a critical aspect: many plant-based alternatives do not have the same longevity as meat or dairy products, which can complicate shelf life management. It is therefore essential to pay close attention to ingredient stability, the potential oxidation of vegetable fats, and interactions with natural additives to ensure that the product remains safe and appealing over time.
The production of plant-based foods also involves challenges related to ingredient stability, allergen management, and the need to prevent cross-contamination. Using plant-based raw materials requires careful control to avoid issues such as oxidation, unwanted fermentation, and changes in organoleptic properties, as well as ensuring pesticide residues remain within legal limits.
To address these challenges, Lifeanalytics offers an integrated approach that includes laboratory analyses, sensory evaluation, regulatory consulting, and shelf-life testing — all aimed at ensuring the compliance and safety of dietary, plant-based, and vegan products. These services help companies identify potential issues in their production processes, optimize formulations, and improve consumer acceptance of their products.
Analysis and control for dietary and plant-based foods
Dietary and plant-based foods have unique nutritional and technological characteristics that require careful monitoring to avoid contamination, degradation, and health risks for consumers. The absence of animal-derived ingredients does not automatically guarantee higher safety: raw material handling, proper storage, and ingredient integrity are all key factors in ensuring a healthy product that complies with current regulations.
The use of plant proteins, such as those derived from peas, soy, rice, or wheat, requires targeted analyses to ensure the absence of contaminants and allergens, while maintaining a balanced nutritional profile. Additionally, the incorporation of innovative ingredients like algae and mushrooms to enhance flavor and texture introduces new challenges in terms of safety and regulatory compliance.
At Lifeanalytics, we can support you with advanced analysis services to ensure the safety and compliance of your products with current regulations.
Among the main analytical services we offer are:
- Residues and Contaminants: Monitoring for the presence of antibiotic-inhibitory residues, heavy metals, mycotoxins, dioxins and PCBs, PAHs, and process contaminants, ensuring that products comply with safety limits set by European and international regulations. Key documents in this context include Regulation (EC) No. 915/2023 and its subsequent amendments, and for pesticides, Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 and its amendments.
- Food Safety: Identification of MOSH-MOAH, PFAS, and furfuryl alcohol, contaminants that may accumulate in food during production or packaging.
- Allergen, GMO, and Animal Species Control: Testing for regulated allergens (per Regulation 1169/2011 and export requirements), detection of GMOs, and screening for animal species to certify a product as plant-based or vegan.
- Product Quality and Integrity Verification: Analysis for microplastics, vitamins, and additives to ensure product stability and nutritional value.
- Food Authentication: Food Fraud & Authenticity services to verify ingredient genuineness and prevent food fraud.
- Shelf Life and Stability: Challenge Tests, stability testing, and shelf-life studies to ensure product safety throughout its entire lifecycle.
- Process Development and Validation: Scientific studies to optimize production processes and ensure that every stage meets the quality standards required by the market.
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Sensory analysis and market testing for dietary, plant-based, and vegan foods
The success of a dietary or plant-based product depends not only on its safety, but also on the sensory experience it delivers. Taste, texture, and aroma are essential factors in determining how well a product will be accepted by consumers. Lifeanalytics offers advanced tools to analyze and improve these aspects through targeted testing.
Some specific services for dietary, vegan, and plant-based foods include:
- Panel tasting and sensory home tests: Qualitative and quantitative evaluations to assess how much consumers like a product and how they perceive it.
- Market research and consumer testing: Studies to identify consumer preferences, purchasing behavior, and how a product compares to competitors in the market.
- Labeling and regulatory compliance: A Labeling & Regulatory service to ensure that label information is clear and compliant with applicable regulations — particularly Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011, and where applicable, EFSA guidelines regarding nutritional claims in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006.
Why choose Lifeanalytics for quality and safety testing of dietary and plant-based foods
With a network of accredited laboratories and specialized teams focused exclusively on the food sector, Lifeanalytics experts support companies every day in bringing safe, high-quality products to market.
We offer tailored solutions to address the analytical and regulatory challenges of the industry, promoting innovation, compliance, and the competitiveness of your business.
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Lifeanalytics Food: discover the full range of services dedicated to the food industry
Lifeanalytics Food offers a comprehensive range of analysis, consultancy, and training services to ensure the safety and quality not only of Dietary, Plant-Based, and Vegan Foods, but also of milk and dairy products, meat and meat derivatives, pasta, baked goods, and much more.
Our chemical, microbiological, nutritional, and sensory analyses, along with our consulting and regulatory update services, support manufacturers in complying with current regulations, protecting consumer health, and maintaining market trust.
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