Feed and grain analysis

RPS has deep expertise in the provision of a wide range of contaminant analysis for feed and grain materials.

Feed sources can be complex to monitor in large supply chains and it is important to understand the quality and integrity of the materials that are used in your products before they are distributed Feed legislation contains detailed provisions concerning the quality, composition and labelling of single and compound feedstuffs, as well as feed additives. Analytical testing can provide that reassurance that feeds and grains are free of contaminants. 

Our expertise in feed and grain analysis

RPS can provide tailored solutions to monitor contaminants in a wide range of feeds from their raw materials, from crops and grains through to intermediated and finished products. Often, the transport and storage of these products can introduce unwanted contaminants as well as the adulteration of the products by unscrupulous parties in the supply chain. This makes it even more important for routine testing to be carried out.

By using the highest specification in analytical instrumentation, we can accurately and repeatedly quantify trace contaminants in these very complex matrices. Our state-of-the-art laboratories can detect a wide variety of contaminants as well as the more routine ones listed below.

• Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2
• Pesticide residues (link to pesticide residues in crops)
• Chlorinated Pesticides
• Heavy metals
• Nitrosamines (list of 8)
• Acrylamide
• Microbiology (salmonella, yeasts)
• PFAS (list of 51 PFAS)
• Polychlorinated Biphenyl Ethers (PCBs)
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Phthalates
• Glyphosate and AMPA
• Veterinary drugs
• Antimicrobials (DDAC, BAC, Triclosan)
• Antibiotics
• Hemp products used in animal feed

Regulating feed and grain analysis

Regulations for food and feed product analysis are always evolving from demands from the public to provide clear evidence of the integrity of the product. Its commercial value can often be maximised by providing analysis results, which is especially true when trying to conform to organic or pesticide-free status.

Placing feed products on the market is subject to a number of regulations.  The following list provides an overview of the key regulations that apply in the EU:

• Food and Feed Law (LFGB): The food and feed law specified by the EU is extended by national regulations. It includes rules on the composition and labelling of feed as well as guidelines on analysis and sampling.
• Regulation (EC) No. 767/2009: Regulation on the placing on the market, labelling and other require­ments to ensure the quality and safety of feed.
• Regulation (EC) No. 1831/2003: Regulation on the authorisation and use of additives in feeding stuffs.
• Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005: Regulation on maximum residue levels of plant protection products in animal feed

Our credentials

Our laboratory facilities are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the Environment Agency’s MCERTs monitoring scheme and we are also members of the MHRA’s UK GLP monitoring programme. We also hold a Plant Health licence to allow the import of soils from outside the European Union

We deliver environmental analysis services using the latest instrumentation in purpose-built facilities located in the UK and The Netherlands. RPS also has an extensive network of partner laboratories worldwide that enables us to receive testing samples from across the globe.