Premier Analytical Ser vices (PAS) testing ser vice expands to target an increased

Range

Toxic Metals

The company based in High Wycombe already offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of food testing in the country, also offering advice on sampling, due diligence requirements, legislation updates and interpretation

They have expanded their remit to test for even more potentially problematic elements testing in response to increased customer demand for elemental analysis”

PAS operates to support food businesses that require their expertise, providing good science to enable good decisions backed up by reliable and valid data

Warren Jackson Nutrition &

Metals Laboratory Manager of the company says: Toxic metals and other elements are potentially harmful chemicals present in food adventitiously as a result of anthropogenic activities or from natural sources

They include heavy metals such as lead cadmium and mercury, and other chemical elements such as arsenic These chemicals have a long history of food contamination some of the levels found having caused serious effects on exposed populations

“ They can be introduced into the food chain at any point from growth through harvesting, storage and processing Although some metals are essential all are potentially harmful if exposures are excessive Food is a major contributor to human exposure, though other routes may also be significant (inhalation, occupational exposure drinking water)

Metals and other elements can be present in food either naturally, as a result of human activities (such as farming, industry or car exhausts) from contamination during manufacture/processing and storage, or by direct addition

PAS has set up new testing processes including a new analysis system to help food manufacturers determine if they meet new legislative regulations regarding metal content

Warren said that the laboratories now offer specific testing in mercury and arsenic, among other toxic metals and chemicals

He says: We are expanding the suite of metals that we test for in response to new legislation and we have expanded our capacity for this type of

PAS has over 50 staff, which includes the qualified scientists holding postgraduate degrees within their scientific disciplines

The technical expertise at PAS is second to none with the heads of each department being internationally recognised in their relevant fields, sitting on steering committees and guiding the industry on the latest innovations within analysis and risk mitigation strategies

All PAS laboratories are based in their Centre of Excellence at High Wycombe meaning that teams will work together to ensure the optimal client experience as well as projects easily being able to be crossfunctional and multi-disciplined

Within the food industry there is a requirement to ensure the safety, quality and legality of foods, and this starts from the initial design of process and product, with validation being carried out to assess if the applied controls are fit for purpose or not

At PAS they specialise in designing such validation studies and importantly in addressing what needs to be changed in the event that the work does not support what is required It is therefore important to design the work such that it will give valuable information to guide next steps in the event of adverse results and not just to do the minimum to give a pass or fail output

PAS has a worldwide customer base that includes: food manufacturers, producers and distributors of all sizes research and education institutes retailers and other testing laboratories

PAS has two major values ingrained through every part of its business:

First for Food Analysis: To be the first choice laboratory for analysis for the UK food industry, delivering the highest quality service with unrivalled technical expertise to our clients

First for Scientific Integrity: To continuously deliver innovative techniques and solutions for meeting the testing needs of the food industry, whilst upholding and abiding by the highest scientific principles www.paslabs.co.uk