Residue Testing Services

The Agriculture & Food Laboratory (AFL) has built client relationships in residue testing over many years.  We can test for a broad range of residue types in feed and food including mycotoxins, minerals, heavy metals, pesticides, veterinary drug residues and other trace contaminants. Our main expertise lies in providing trace analytical chemistry, and ensuring residues fall under acceptable guidelines to help ensure a safe food supply. Our methods are designed to target regulatory maximum residue limits (MRL) where applicable. In the absence of a published MRL, assay sensitivity is typically in the low part per billion (ppb) range.

Please contact us to discuss your specific testing needs.

Using approved and accredited methods we can provide the following testing:

Quality Assurance

Our testing is carried out in a state-of-the-art facility with a mature Quality System. Please refer to our current Scope of Accreditation.

HOW CAN AFL HELP THE FOOD INDUSTRY?

Some of our client relationships are more than thirty years old. This speaks volumes to our ability to provide trusted results year after year. As the effects of residues are traced in the environment, we develop methods applicable to processed food, vegetation, fruits, vegetables, water, soil, biosolids, animal tissues, dairy and honey.

Antibiotic Residues

Laboratory Services works closely with provincial legislators and producer associations in both meat and milk sectors. We provide qualitative and quantitative, rapid and cost-effective testing for the major classes of antimicrobials and other drug classes in a large variety of matrices including; milk, meat, and honey. Please contact us to confirm the availability of testing in your sample type since our test methods are matrix specific. In addition, test method development and validation services are available for large projects.

The following drug groups are available for testing:

  • Amphenicols
  • Aminoglycosides
  • Beta-lactams
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Ionophores
  • Macrolides
  • Sulfonamides
  • Tetracyclines
  • Beta-agonists
  • Endectocides
  • NSAIDS

Pesticide Residues

We can analyze virtually any food type (fresh or processed) for pesticide residues. We are currently able to analyze greater than 500 active ingredients using a broad range of multi-residue and single residue tests. Our test methods primarily use mass spectrometry as the method of detection (either GC-MS/MS or LC-MS/MS) with detection limits typically ranging from the part per trillion to low part per billion range.  We also have a broad range of other methods of detection available where required.

Please contact us to find more about our pesticide testing services, and how we can meet your needs.

Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of certain fungi that can have toxic or carcinogenic effects on animals or humans.   They are ubiquitous in nature with hundreds of types having been identified worldwide. Our experienced staff use ELISA  methods to test for mycotoxins. They are powerful analytical tools, providing cost-effective, quantitative analyses of a large number of samples in a short amount of time, with very low detection limits.

The following mycotoxin tests are available:

  • Aflatoxin
  • Fumonisin
  • Ochratoxin
  • T2
  • Vomitoxin
  • Zearalenone

Feed Additives

The Feed Additive Screen is available for residues in animal feed:

  • The screen includes Monensin, Narasin and Salinomycin

Nicarbazin testing in feed is also available as a separate screen.

Minerals

The following tests are available for mineral analyses:

  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Sulphur

Heavy Metals

The following tests are available for heavy metal analyses:

  • Aluminum
  • Antimony
  • Arsenic
  • Boron
  • Beryllium
  • Cadmium
  • Chromium
  • Cobalt
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Lead
  • Magnesium
  • Manganese
  • Mercury
  • Molybdenum
  • Nickel
  • Selenium
  • Tin
  • Titanium
  • Zinc