Laboratory Accreditation | Food
Food
UKAS accredits a large number of laboratories that carry out food testing services to the internationally recognised standard ISO/IEC 17025. This can span across chemical/microbiology testing in large commercial laboratory settings to smaller scale niche product areas.
Accreditation assesses factors relevant to a laboratory’s ability to produce precise, accurate tests and data including the technical competence of staff, the validity and appropriateness of test methods, the suitability and maintenance of test equipment, the testing environment, sampling, handling and transportation of test items, and the quality assurance of test data.
UKAS accreditation includes the analysis of:
- Nutritional and labelling
- Food claims and authenticity
- Allergens
- Contaminants
- Microbiology including pathogens
- Shelf life
- Food manufacturing environmental monitoring
- Food specification monitoring
- Sensory analysis
- Cooking instructions
- Opinions and interpretations
- Trading standards complaints
- Food Enforcement sampling
- Cannabinoids, tobacco and e-cigarettes
Related links
- Food Standard Agency – Imports and Exports
- Food Standard Agency – Allergens Guidance
- Food Standard Agency – Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance for England and Wales
- Gov.uk – Bringing food into Great Britain
- Gov.uk – Controls of fish and shellfish diseases in England and Wales
Readiness Assessment Tool
We appreciate the journey to accreditation can be daunting, with this in mind we’ve created a Readiness Assessment Tool. Start your self-assessment against the expectations of ISO/IEC 17025 and find out how ready you are to apply click here.
UKAS Training Academy
To support our accreditation work, the UKAS Training Academy offers a range of public and on-site training courses. Our portfolio of courses provide UK & overseas delegates with knowledge and best practice of accreditation practices and conformity assessment systems.
To find out more about courses specific to this standard, click here.
