Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are plant derived products universally promoted as healthy which can be consumed in its raw form without undergoing processing or conversion. They are known to be the power house of essential vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Since times, production of fruits and vegetables has been a major challenge for businesses handling fresh produce; with high risk of being damaged.

Ensuring the quality and safety of fruits and vegetables throughout the supply chain right from production, harvesting and finally to the consumers plate is the crucial aspect. Moreover, ongoing concern related to food borne illness, causative microorganisms, contaminants, pesticide residues stress for an accurate quality and safety testing.

Eurofins can provide safety and quality testing for wide range of fruits and vegetables including -

Tropical fruits - mango, pineapple, kiwi, apricot
Cherries and berries – strawberry, blueberry, blackberry
Traditional fruits – apple, avocado, grape, orange, banana
Other fruits and vegetables – lettuce, tomato, roots and tubers, spinach, chilies, cabbage, beans, greens

Safety aspects associated with fruits and vegetables

Fresh fruits and vegetables is considered to be highly sensitive product category which requires careful monitoring during shipping and storage. Any disruption in the whole supply chain may seriously impair products quality. Therefore, it is very important to check the condition of the produce at departure, packaging facility and destination.

Export of Fruits and vegetables from India is only allowed after production of laboratory test reports which complies to regulations as per APEDA. Failure in MRL can lead to rejection of the goods at the importing country destination.

FSSAI has also setup standards for fruits and vegetables so that all food businesses must maintain food quality and safety.

Sources of contamination includes use of pesticides at the farms, micro biological contamination, improper handling, poor storage conditions, chemical residues, physical factors like bruises, spoilage and many other factors. Increasing consumers demand for safe and hygienic fresh and convenient produce, results in the development of specific food safety practices by the manufactures/producers. We at Eurofins understand the need to evaluate fresh produce industry and their food safety aspect.

Eurofins can assist you with fast, reliable, accurate testing and thereby helping you to minimize risk and protect your brand image as well as customer.

Eurofins offers wide spectrum of testing services for fresh fruits and vegetables including -

Eurofins have state-of-the-art laboratory facilities with specialist pesticide residue, chemical and microbiology teams. We have extensive knowledge and experience in the analysis of pesticides for fruits and vegetables and we also ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and retailer specifications.

Listed below is a glance of testing services offered by us

Microbiology: Detection of spoilage causing microorganisms
coli 0157H7, Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Clostridium botulinum, as well as some viruses etc.
Analysis of mycotoxins - Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Botrytis, Geotrichum, and Colletotrichum.
Detection of pesticides residues as per the regulatory requirement and other contaminants like - calcium carbide, mycotoxins & heavy metals
Nutritional Composition analysis
Moisture
Total Sugar
Reducing Sugar
Carbohydrates
Salt (NaCl)
Total Ash
Insoluble Ash in HCL
Total Phosphorus
Protein
Energy (calculated from Fat, Protein, Carbohydrate)
Testing of vitamins and Minerals
Heavy metal testing – cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic
General microbial analysis
Identification of additives – sodium benzoate, sulphites
Detection of adulteration - Sodium metabisulphite, Sulphur dioxide, saccharin, wax
Dithiocarbamate Screening
Glyphosate (includes AMPA and gluphosinate)

Specialized services offered by Eurofins

GMO testing of fruits and vegetables
Organic food testing - Expert guidance on legislation, developing necessary risk based monitoring plans to ensure the quality and safety of organic foods
Sampling and inspection of fresh fruits and vegetables at:
We offer you the largest portfolio of pesticides residue (covering more than 800 compounds)
We offer express analysis services that will be available within 24 & 48 hours

Why choose Eurofins?

We have dedicated laboratory technologists that help to assess status.
Comprehensive Online Management (EOL)
Leading Turnaround & Flexibility
One-stop solution lab with Global network
Teams of Expert Inspectors
Strong customer focus with quality service
Reliability Assured and Delivered
Dedicated Customer Support