Grain & Cereal Testing
Tentamus Group in the UK is a One Stop Shop for your testing needs! We offer grains and cereals testing services at our UKAS Accredited labs within our Tentamus network to ensure your products meet the highest food safety standards and comply with regulatory requirements.
With our advanced testing for microbiological contaminants, pesticide residues, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and allergens, we help manufacturers, grain producers, and suppliers maintain product quality, safety, and consumer trust.
Why Grain and Cereal Testing Is Essential
Grains such as wheat, barley, oats, rice, maize, and corn are essential food staples. However, they are vulnerable to contamination from pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and pathogens, all of which pose risks to human health. Testing is crucial to:
- Ensure UK and EU compliance for food safety regulations.
- Protect consumers from potential health hazards like toxins, allergens, and pathogens.
- Prevent product recalls and mitigate supply chain risks.
- Verify organic, allergen-free, and gluten-free claims.
Our Grains & Cereals Testing Services
We provide a wide range of UKAS accredited analytical services at Minerva Scientific as well as our sister-labs to meet the needs of grain and cereal producers, food manufacturers, and importers/exporters. Our testing services include:
Microbiological Testing
- Total Viable Count (TVC) – Measures the overall number of bacteria and fungi in your cereals.
- Pathogen Testing – Detection of harmful pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Bacillus cereus.
- Mould & Yeast Analysis – Detects fungal contamination that could lead to mycotoxin production.
Mycotoxin Testing
- Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) – Common in maize and peanuts.
- Ochratoxin A – Found in wheat, barley, and oats.
- Fumonisins (B1, B2) – Primarily in maize.
- Deoxynivalenol (DON) – Common in wheat, barley, and oats.
- Zearalenone – Often found in maize.
- Fusarium - Common in wheat, barley, corn and rice.
Heavy Metal Testing
We test for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As) and a lot more. Heavy metals that can accumulate in cereals and pose long-term health risks.
Pesticide Residue Testing
- Multi-Residue Screening – Detects a wide range of pesticides commonly used in cereal farming, including glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, and carbamate pesticides.
- MRL (Maximum Residue Level) Testing – Ensures your products meet UK and EU residue limits for safe consumer consumption.
Allergen & Gluten Testing
- Gluten Content Analysis – To ensure grains like wheat, barley, and rye meet gluten-free labelling standards.
- Allergen Detection – For cross-contamination risks from allergens like peanuts, soy, and nuts.
Nutritional Testing
- Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fibre – Testing to ensure your cereal products meet nutritional labelling requirements.
- Vitamins & Minerals – For added value and accurate labelling.
Moisture Content Analysis
The moisture content of cereals can affect their storage, shelf life, and risk of mould growth. This test ensures that moisture levels are within appropriate limits.
Who Needs Our Grains and Cereal Testing Services?
Our services cater to a wide range of industries, including:
- Food & Beverage Manufacturers – Ensure raw materials meet safety standards for production.
- Agricultural Producers & Grain Suppliers – Test crops before they enter the processing stage.
- Organic & Gluten-Free Brands – Verify claims and ensure cross-contamination prevention.
- Exporters & Importers – Comply with international trade regulations and meet the necessary testing requirements.
- Animal Feed Producers – Ensure your grain-based animal feed is safe and contaminant-free.
Why Choose Us?
- Accreditations Across Mentioned Fields of Expertise – Our testing is accredited to the highest standards.
- Fast Turnaround – We understand the urgency and offer timely results to keep your business moving forward.
- Advanced Testing Techniques And Trained Professionals
- Expert Regulatory Guidance – We provide clear guidance to help you navigate UK, EU, and international food safety regulations.