There is a growing market for organic foods that are supposed to be free of pesticides, hormones and synthetic chemicals before they can be labeled as such.  But, is it really the case?, what are we eating in the name of organic is really an organic. There may be a chance that organic farmers are not aware of do’s and don’ts of organic farming and hence they might be exceeding the guidelines labels set by Certifying organization.Organic Food testing

AES laboratories help you to identify if your organic farming techniques are effective and if you are going the right way.Organic producers aim to maintain soil nutrient status, maintain or improve soil physical quality and manage the soil environment to achieve efficient utilization of soil nutrients.

Our laboratory provides analytical services to the organic food industry, testing for prohibited substances, including pesticides, contaminant metals and antibiotic residues. . The Certifying organisation like USDA has established the maximum levels of pesticides present in foods, in order to maintain organic regulations most synthetic substances are prohibited for at least three years prior to harvest.

Food Analysis for Organic Certification

This is undertaken on fruits or plant material to evaluate food safety or compliance with various regulations relating to organic food certifications:

  • The European Union – organic regulations EC 834/2007 and EC 889/2008
  • The United States of America – the National Organic Programme (NOP)

We offer many range of accredited tests depending upon your requirement and need. Our organic food testing service mainly includes :

  • Pesticide Residual Testing
  • Heavy Metal Testing*

*Heavy Metals are not normally required as a routine test on soil but are used when contamination is suspected.  Heavy Metal Screen: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Nickel, Zinc, Mercury

Other Analytical Services

AES provides a variety of other analytical services that may be useful to develop and monitor a successful organic problem includes:

Nutrient Status of Soil

Nutrient status testing varies according to sample type and growing operation.  Our general recommendations are:

  1. Basic Soil profile consists of pH, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Cation Exchange Capacity, Base Saturation, Volume Weight
  2. Organic Soil Profile consists of Total N, Available N, Organic Matter (Total Carbon)
  3. Heavy Metals: Heavy Metals are not normally required as a routine test on soil but are used when contamination is suspected.  Heavy Metal Screen: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Nickel, Zinc, Mercury

 

Compost & Manures

The routine test profiles offered are shown below:

  1. Basic Compost: Dry Matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, sodium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, boron, organic matter, carbon: nitrogen ratio
  2. Heavy Metals: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Nickel, Zinc, Mercury
  3. Pesticide Screen: Multi-residue
  4. Acidic Herbicide Screen
  5.  Water Extractables A: pH, soluble salts
  6. Water Extractables B: pH, soluble salts, ammonium-N, nitrate-N, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium, calcium, magnesium,sodium.

For more details on our organic food testing services or to discuss your specific testing requirements, please get in touch with us at support@aeslabs.com