Most food, beverage and ingredient manufacturers need outside laboratory support at some time or another. The answer should not be “pick one off the internet or out of the telephone book.” This series of articles suggests what you should look for in a contract laboratory.
In part 1 we discuss what to consider when selecting a laboratory.
Most food, beverage and ingredient manufacturers need outside laboratory support at some time or another. This includes small, medium and large processors. The type of support processors require may be microbiological, chemical, nutritional, product development or any other type of analysis.
So how should a food processor select a laboratory to support their operations? The answer is not and should not be “pick one off the Internet or out of the telephone book.” This series of articles suggests what you should look for in a contract laboratory. In part 1 we discuss what to consider when selecting a laboratory.
Selecting an approved laboratory
There are cases in which a company may simply pick a laboratory, but it is really not the best option. Some processors have established “approved laboratory” programs, that is, they mandate that their suppliers use only laboratories that they have vetted and approved. However, even those operations that are required to use an approved laboratory should not simply pick one but should go through a process of evaluation, review and approval. In other words, treat a contract laboratory as one would any supplier of foods, ingredients, raw materials and packaging materials: subject the laboratory to the same rigor that one would apply to selecting, evaluating, approving and managing any vendor. Visit the laboratory or at a minimum engage them in a telephone conversation where you can evaluate their capabilities and their understanding of your situation.
Whom to select
The first step when selecting a vendor is to define needs and develop a list of laboratories that can meet them. What kind of work do you need? Product development services? Microbiological testing? Design and implementation of an environmental monitoring program? Preparation of a certificate of analysis (COA) for customers? Development of a nutrition facts statement for a new or reformulated product?
Once a company establishes their needs, the next step is to identify one and preferably several contract laboratories that will meet their needs. But what criteria should a processor look for in their contract laboratory? Let’s assume the goal is selecting a microbiology laboratory. The criteria one might look for are:
• The laboratory is ISO 17025 certified
• The laboratory is capable of doing the work needed using official and recognized methods
• The work can be started as soon as the samples arrive, and results will be available as the testing protocol dictates
• The laboratory can provide references that the company may speak to
• The laboratory will pick up samples
• The laboratory allows audits
• The laboratory has trained employees that participate in check-sample programs
• The laboratory will not only provide results but also will interpret results if needed
• The laboratory demonstrates a sense of urgency with your samples
• The laboratory has experience with your product matrix or matrices that are very similar
• The laboratory has the ability to suggest possibly more appropriate tests in addition to or in place of the testing you are asking for
• Cost of services
In part 2 we will investigate these requirements more closely with the view to drawing up a checklist foe a laboratory audit.
Article reproduced with permission from Food Safety Magazine
Source: Food Safety Magazine
