Pets
Laboratory Testing for Safety, Quality, and Compliance of Pet Food Products
The pet food sector has specific requirements that differ from animal nutrition intended for livestock. Growing attention toward the quality, safety, and nutritional value of food for dogs and cats requires increasingly targeted controls.
We support companies through:
- Palatability testing: verification of the palatability of kibble, treats, and wet food through preference testing.
- Ingredient and formulation control: verification of ingredients and compliance with declared formulations.
- Functional nutrient analysis: analysis of functional nutrients such as taurine, omega-3, omega-6, vitamins, and minerals.
- Specialized product verification: testing for grain-free, monoprotein, premium, and veterinary diet products.
- Fat stability and shelf life: monitoring fat stability and commercial product shelf life.
- Label claim validation: analytical support to validate nutritional claims displayed on the label.
These activities enable manufacturers to ensure quality, safety, and compliance, strengthening brand competitiveness in a continuously evolving market.
Regulations and compliance in the Pet Food sector
The companion animal food sector is governed by specific European regulations regulating safety, composition, labeling, and production hygiene, including:
- Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 – On the placing on the market and use of feed
- Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 – Laying down requirements for feed hygiene
- Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 – General principles of food law and traceability
- European regulations on contaminants, additives, and undesirable substances in animal feed
Laboratory analyses allow for the verification of compliance with technical and regulatory requirements throughout the entire pet food supply chain, from raw materials to the finished product.
Laboratory testing for Pet Food products
Our ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accredited laboratories provide reliable and defensible data to support pet food companies during audits, official controls, customer verifications, and product development, operating in the following areas:
- Microbiological safety: pathogen screening, hygiene indicators, molds, and yeasts (also utilizing rapid MALDI-TOF technology) on kibble, treats, and wet food to verify process hygiene and prevent recalls.
- Chemical contaminants: analysis of pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, dioxins, PCBs, and PFAS to monitor supply chain risks, protect animal health, and ensure compliance with safety limits.
- Nutritional analysis and composition: full proximate analysis (protein, fat, fiber, ash) and testing for vitamins and minerals to guarantee a balanced diet that is consistent with label declarations.
- Allergens, GMOs, and advanced controls: testing to prevent allergen cross-contamination, GMO analysis for traceability, and screening for microplastics and additives to reinforce product safety.
- Shelf Life and stability: real-time and accelerated stability studies to evaluate microbiological and physicochemical stability over time (especially for wet or high-fat products), scientifically defining commercial shelf life.
- Sensory analysis and palatability: technical sensory panels, comparative evaluations, and preference studies to optimize product acceptance, texture, and palatability, driving market success.
Your trusted experts for the Pet Food Sector
Choosing Lifeanalytics means relying on a leading analytical partner for the companion animal sector, 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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