To facilitate IAM’s efforts in food safety supervision and inspection and quarantine of live and fresh food, the Laboratory Division has constantly expanded the food testing items and scope and has improved the existing testing methods to offer more comprehensive and diversified testing services in order to support the food safety work of IAM’s relevant departments..

      

        Through various food tests, the food compliance with hygiene and safety requirements can be evaluated so that the public can consume it at ease. The testing technique adopted by the Laboratory adheres to objective and scientific principles. According to specific technical requirements, advanced analysis devices and equipment are equipped in the Laboratory and tests are conducted with reference to international/national standards to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results.

 

      At present, the Laboratory is able to test a variety of food categories, including physicochemical parameters, pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, heavy metals, additives, colourings, contaminants, toxins, radionuclides, bacteria and avian influenza and COVID-19 viruses, etc. The test data is provided to relevant departments to carry out food safety analysis and assessments. In addition, the Laboratory also provides urgent test services concerning food safety emergencies.

 

1. Receipt of samples
• Sample checking
• Sample registration
2. Laboratory analysis
• Microbiological analysis: pre-treatment of samples, preparation of culture media, sample inoculation, bacteria cultivation, result interpretation, bacteria identification.
• Chemical analysis: pre-treatment of samples, reagent preparation, extraction of substances to be tested, instrumental analysis.
3. Information collation and release of results
• Data processing and verification of information
• Compilation and dispatch of test report