Pesticide and Pathogen Testing Programs
Microbiological Testing
SCS offers testing of produce, water, and equipment for microbiological verification of a food safety policy or program. Our labs utilize ELISA methods for rapid screening of pathogens, and confirmation with the FDA BAM methods or PCR if appropriate. When testing for pathogens, we recommend that environmental testing/swabs be conducted monthly, and that product verification be done on a lot-by-lot basis along with a hold and release approach. SCS follows the GAP Metrics protocol for water testing and monitoring.
EPA Compliance Testing for Pathogens, Pesticides and Industrial Contaminants
SCS provides random testing for both pesticides, pathogenic bacteria and industrial contaminants to show that your suppliers are in compliance with EPA regulations. This program offers extra benefit – SCS supplies your results to you and, in addition, you will receive a listing of all of our participant’s results in a “blind data” format which includes the name of grower, shipper, date tested and results. As an example, you pay for 6 tests, and receive data on 25.
Export Compliance Testing for Pesticides
Growers sending their products to Japan or the European Union can have their produce tested for pesticide residues against the tolerances of the declared country. SCS’s labs participate in the quality control “proficiency program” as established by the Central Science Lab (FAPAS). We are also accredited to ISO 17025 and to the State of California’s ELAP accreditation program.
Testing of Organic Produce
USDA data indicates that 23% of all organic produce contains pesticide residues. In most cases, these residues are due to drift or from accidental contamination. SCS testing services involves use of the FDA PAM II multiresidue screen test to show whether the produce is in compliance with the pesticide residue standards as declared by the USDA National Organic Program.
In addition, for growers interested in providing added assurance, SCS provides Pesticide Free certification.
Pesticide Free Certification (NutriClean)
The “Pesticide Free” label is backed by strict scientific protocols for inspection, sampling, and testing and is the most stringent guarantee of product purity in the marketplace today. Certified Pesticide Free foods meet a proven standard of excellence that is stringent enough to satisfy organic and conventional food shoppers alike – that is, lab tested and shown to have no pesticide residues, down to the limits of laboratory detection. Successful growers are posted on our weekly list of NutriClean Produce which is distributed to Retailers worldwide.
Laboratory Qualifications
SCS maintains relationships with a diverse group of independent laboratories to ensure that we can satisfy a full spectrum of testing and analysis needs. All of our contract labs are accredited by state and federal agencies, and use testing methods and procedures that are well established and accepted by government, academia and industry groups. Labs must:
- Participate in the State of California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP).
- Participate in the internationally recognized Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS®).
- Participate in the SCS “Split-Sample” program, in which SCS periodically sends split samples to multiple labs and monitors the results for accuracy and consistency.
All labs are capable of performing good laboratory practice analyses for EPA-related activities, and all domestic labs are approved by the FDA for automatic detection residue analysis.
Applications
Lab Testing & Verification – Request for Lab Services, English - US, Adobe PDFContact
