Meat and derivatives
Laboratory testing and safety control for fresh meat, cured meats, and meat products
The meat supply chain is among the most critical from a hygiene and health perspective. Fresh meat, meat preparations, cured meats, and ready-to-eat (RTE) products require continuous analytical monitoring to prevent microbiological contamination, veterinary residues, and regulatory non-compliance.
For this reason, Lifeanalytics supports slaughterhouses, cutting plants, cured meat producers, and processing industries with accredited laboratory analyses specific to the animal protein sector.
Every day, we assist companies in managing Listeria risks in ready-to-eat products; monitoring antibiotic and veterinary drug residues; controlling environmental and process contaminants; validating thermal treatments and curing/aging processes; and demonstrating compliance for EC identification marks and export markets.
Regulatory requirements for products of animal origin
The production of meat and meat products is subject to specific regulations governing foods of animal origin:
- Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 – On the hygiene of foodstuffs
- Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 – Laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – Food information to consumers
- Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 – On microbiological criteria for foodstuffs
Laboratory testing is an essential tool for demonstrating compliance with food safety criteria and contaminant thresholds.
Laboratory testing for Meat and Meat Products
Our ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accredited laboratories offer specific analytical services to guarantee the safety and stability of meat and meat products, supporting companies during audits, official inspections, and retailer (GDO) compliance checks in the following areas:
Microbiological analysis: screening for pathogens (Listeria in RTE products, Salmonella), microbial counts, challenge testing, and environmental monitoring to prevent product recalls and retailer disputes.- Veterinary residues and chemical safety: monitoring antibiotics, veterinary drugs, heavy metals, dioxins, PCBs, PFAS, and PAHs from smoking processes to ensure compliance with European limits and export requirements.
- Compositional and nutritional control: full proximate analysis (fats, proteins, salt, moisture) for labeling, alongside verification of additives, preservatives, allergens, and GMOs to ensure consistency with product formulations.
- Shelf life and process validation: studies on fresh meat in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), thermal treatment validation, tests on cured/aged/smoked products, and post-opening stability studies to provide robust technical reports for audits.
- Authenticity and species identification: identification of declared animal species and anti-fraud controls to ensure traceability, protect consumers, and safeguard brand reputation.
- Sensory analysis and consumer testing: panel tests with trained judges, in-home use tests (IHUT), and market research with real consumers to evaluate product characteristics, guide R&D decisions, and improve market positioning.
Your trusted experts for meat supply chain safety
Lifeanalytics experts are a benchmark for microbiological and chemical analyses in the meat and meat products sector. Every day, we stand alongside companies to reduce the risk of contamination and recalls, pass audits by clients, retailers, and health authorities, ensure compliance with European microbiological criteria, and support EC-approved plants and extra-EU exports.
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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