Testing of food samples
Wednesday 28 December 2011
Importers must ensure that their goods are safe and legal before they are purchased from producers and imported into the UK.
Public Analysts, who are skilled scientists, are available to test that food samples comply with food safety requirements by undertaking chemical analysis and/or by arranging for microbiological examination, although there is no legal requirement for importers to do so.
The Agency has published a list of Official Food Control Laboratories in the UK.
In addition, there are a number of other laboratories in the UK and abroad that would undertake the work that importers may require. The importer could then arrange for the analysis report to form the basis of their quality controls for their supplier.