Seafood sector

Laboratory testing for the safety and quality of seafood products

The seafood sector is one of the most complex food supply chains, where safety, quality, and compliance must be continuously guaranteed. The high perishability of fish, molluscs, and crustaceans, combined with stringent health controls and an increasing focus on traceability and authenticity, requires a structured analytical control system throughout the entire supply chain.

Lifeanalytics supports production, processing, and distribution companies with reliable and defensible laboratory analyses, designed to reduce operational risk, prevent non-compliance, and handle audits and inspections with greater confidence, in both domestic and international markets.

Specific controls for fish, molluscs, and crustaceans

Fish, molluscs, and crustaceans present specific vulnerabilities related to perishability, cold chain management, and the presence of natural contaminants. Proper preservation and the verification of product authenticity are essential to ensure food safety and regulatory compliance.

We support companies through:

• Histamine monitoring in seafood products.
• Verification of the presence of Anisakis.
• Cold chain management and shelf life monitoring.
• Verification of product authenticity (fresh, frozen, or thawed).
• Support for Food Fraud programs and supply chain traceability.

Regulatory framework

Compliance in the seafood sector is governed by specific European regulations, including:

• Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 – Laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin
• Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 – On the hygiene of foodstuffs
• Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 – On microbiological criteria for foodstuffs

Our analyses support the operational application of requirements related to classification, processing, labeling, and cold chain management, helping to mitigate non-compliance risks.

Laboratory testing for fish and seafood products

Our ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accredited laboratories offer specific analytical services for the seafood sector, designed to ensure food safety, product quality, and maximum data reliability, even in high-pressure contexts such as audits, inspections, and retailer (GDO) compliance checks. These strategic controls include:

• Microbiological Safety
  Microbiological analyses verify process hygiene and seafood safety, providing objective and repeatable data to support HACCP management and official controls.
  • Screening for pathogenic micro-organisms and spoilage organisms.
  • Rapid identification via MALDI-TOF technology.

• Contaminants and undesirable substances
  Contaminant testing manages chemical risks along the seafood supply chain, demonstrating compliance with regulatory limits and reducing the risk of recalls, product holds, and retailer disputes. We analyze:
  • Heavy metals, pesticides, and antibiotics.
  • Dioxins, PCBs, PAHs, PFAS, and environmental contaminants.
  • Allergens, additives, and prohibited substances.

• Nutritional analysis and labeling
  Nutritional testing supports correct seafood labeling by providing reliable data consistent with the actual product. The results help ensure regulatory compliance and reduce the risk of disputes. These analyses include:
  • Determination of nutritional values.
  • Drafting of nutrition tables compliant with EU regulations.

• Authenticity and fraud prevention
  Authenticity testing verifies the correct declaration of raw materials, preventing commercial fraud while safeguarding brand value and consumer trust, particularly in retailer relations and export markets. Every day, we support companies through:
  • Verification of seafood species authenticity and checking of the correct commercial declaration (fresh, frozen, or thawed).
  • Dedicated Food Fraud & Authenticity services.

• Shelf life and seafood durability
  Shelf life studies define and validate the storage duration of seafood products, supporting food safety as well as production and commercial choices. We perform:
  • Microbiological challenge tests.
  • Physicochemical and sensory stability testing.
  • Definition and validation of the expiration date.

• Sensory analysis and consumer studies
  Beyond safety, perceived quality is a decisive factor for commercial success. For this reason, Lifeanalytics offers:
  • Panel tests with trained judges.
  • Nationwide consumer testing, including in-home use tests (IHUT).
  • Structured evaluations of odor, flavor, texture, appearance, and overall liking.

The results support companies in recipe optimization and market positioning.
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Your trusted experts for the seafood sector

Choosing Lifeanalytics means relying on a leading analytical partner for the seafood 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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