International standards that govern the food industry

Food production requires careful control and constant inspection of finished products. Most strongly, this is true if we are talking about mass production, which in turn complicates the process of controlling the production of products, especially when you consider the automation of production processes. The scientific and technological process greatly simplifies production and makes it much easier for human labor, however, at the same moment, new threats arise. Such potential threats include, for example, the ingress of hazardous substances into the finished product for the human body, or it may be an excess of the permissible concentration of certain substances. Therefore, given the potential danger, it is necessary to have a mechanism for analyzing the finished product. It is also worth noting that at this stage, difficulties may arise due to the fact that science now knows a very large number of potentially dangerous microorganisms for the human body, or animals, when it comes to animal feed. Food manufacturers should pay due attention to the issues of testing their products and have a clear methodology for analyzing their products. In order to simplify the functioning of manufacturing companies, international standards are being created that regulate the analysis of finished products for the content of certain microorganisms, some of which we have collected in this article.

Animal feeding stuffs: Methods of sampling and analysis - Determination of carotenoids in animal compound feed and premixtures by high performance liquid chromatography - UV detection (HPLC-UV)

EN 17550:2021

Carotenoids play the role of natural antioxidants, so their presence in animal feed is mandatory. In addition, they also affect the general health characteristics of animals, and they can also affect the appearance of animals, especially if we are talking about the color of bird feathers or fur coats. In order to properly control the concentration of this substance in animal feed, an international standard has been created, such as EN 17550:2021.

This analytical procedure specifies a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic with UV detection (RP-HPLC-UV) method for the simultaneous determination of four authorized carotenoids in fish compound feed and fish premix, namely astaxanthin (AXN), canthaxanthin (CXN), adonirubin (ADR) and astaxanthin dimethyldisuccinate (AXN DMDS), and of six authorized carotenoids in poultry feed and poultry premix, namely canthaxanthin (CXN); capsanthin (CSN), ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid (BACARE), citranaxanthin (CIXN), lutein (LUT) and zeaxanthin (ZEA) at levels ranging from approximately 2 mg/kg to approximately 4 500 mg/kg (depending on the carotenoid). Beta-carotene (BCAR), authorized in compound feed and premixes for all animal species, was also added to the scope.

The analytical procedure is fit for the purpose of quantitation of declared carotenoids and labelling confirmation. This document is applicable to feed produced using natural and synthetic feed additives.
Xanthophyll esters like those of lutein, zeaxanthin and capsanthin that might be present in feed materials are not authorized feed additives and therefore not part of the scope of this document.

The concentration of carotenoids in animal feed must be verified as it must comply with international regulations as described in the above standard in order to meet the needs of livestock companies. If you are interested in producing a competitive product, we advise you to read the full text of the standard, which is posted on our website.

Cheese - Guidance on sample preparation for physical and chemical testing (ISO 24223:2021)

EN ISO 24223:2021

Competition in the market of manufacturers of different types of cheese is growing every day more and more, especially given the constant emergence of new types. In addition to expanding the range, the production of a quality product remains a priority task for manufacturers. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an expert analysis of the finished product, in accordance with international standards, one of which is EN ISO 24223:2021.

This document gives guidance on the sample preparation of fresh cheese, (semi)soft cheese, (semi)hard cheese, processed cheese and whey cheese for physical and chemical analysis, including analysis by applying instrumental methods.
This document describes the (sub)sampling, and sample preparation steps carried out after sampling according to ISO 707 | IDF 50 and prior to method-specific sample preparations, e.g. as with analytical methods listed in References [2] to [22].
 Analysis on volatile substances, minor components or allergens can require additional precautionary measures in sample preparation in order to avoid loss of or contamination with one or more target analytes.

This International Standard will be useful to companies that produce different types of cheese such as soft cheeses, hard cheeses, etc. The information in this regulatory document will help you make a quality product, which in turn will increase your competitiveness. If you need advice regarding the information in this standard, you can contact our specialists.

Animal feeding stuffs: Methods of sampling and analysis - Detection and enumeration of Pediococcus spp. used as feed additive

EN 15786:2021

The content of lactic acid bacteria in animal feed in sufficient quantities benefits the gastrointestinal tract. They help to normalize the intestinal microflora and improve the general condition of the body. One of the beneficial microorganisms is bacteria of the genus Pediococcus spp., which help fight pathogenic organisms. The main condition for a positive effect on the body is a sufficient concentration of these bacteria in food, according to an international standard, such as EN 15786:2021.

This document specifies general rules for the enumeration of pediococci in feeding stuffs (additives, premixtures and compound feeds excluding mineral feeds) that contain pediococci as a single microorganism component or in a mixture with other microorganisms. Applying the method to premixtures and compound feeds with critical amounts of copper demands a special procedure (see A.2). The document is not applicable to mineral feeds which are defined as complementary feeding stuffs composed mainly of minerals and containing at least 40 % crude ash (Regulation (EC) 767/2009) [3]. There are different categories of feed samples:


a)   Additives containing about 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/g;


b)   Premixtures containing about 1011 CFU/kg;


c)   Compound feeds, meal or pellets which contain about 109 CFU/kg.

The correct concentration of lactic acid bacteria in animal feed will have a beneficial effect on the animal's body, so feed manufacturers need to take this factor into account in the production. Therefore, it is mandatory to familiarize and implement the provisions that are described in the international standard, which we talked about above. You can access the full text at the link below.

Animal feeding stuffs: Methods of sampling and analysis - Detection and enumeration of Bacillus spp. used as feed additive

EN 15784:2021

Most lactic acid bacteria, in sufficient, controlled amounts, benefit the body into which they enter, providing a number of positive actions. However, there are bacteria that can also serve as indicators of certain food hazards. These microorganisms include lactic acid bacteria of the genus Bacillus spp. Their content in animal feed must be strictly regulated, in accordance with the requirements of an international standard, such as EN 15784:2021.

This document specifies general rules for the enumeration of bacilli in feeding stuffs (additives, premixtures and compound feeds including mineral feeds) [4] that contain bacilli as a single microorganism component or in a mixture with other microorganisms. There are different categories of feed samples:


a)   Additives containing about 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/g;


b)   Premixtures containing about 1011 CFU/kg;


c)   Compound feeds, meal or pellets containing about 109 CFU/kg.

A distinctive characteristic of lactic acid bacteria referred to in the above-mentioned international standard is that their presence in foodstuffs can signal negative processes that can take place in them. As a result, this greatly enhances the usefulness of this document, which you can access on our website.

Animal feeding stuffs: Methods of sampling and analysis - Detection and enumeration of Lactobacillus spp. used as feed additive

EN 15787:2021

The benefits of lactic acid bacteria for the normalization of bowel function have long been proven, which is why they are so widely used in the food industry. It is worth noting that representatives of the genus Lactobacillus spp have become the most popular lactic acid bacteria, which have proven benefits for the human or animal body, if we are talking about animal feed. However, we want to remind you again that a beneficial effect can only be achieved if their concentration is correct, in accordance with the norms described in the international standard EN 15787:2021.

This document specifies general rules for the enumeration of lactobacilli in feeding stuffs (additives, premixtures and compound feeds excluding mineral feeds) that contain lactobacilli as a single microorganism component or in a mixture with other microorganisms. Applying the method to premixtures and compound feeds with critical amounts of copper demands a special procedure (see A.2). The document is not applicable to mineral feeds, which are defined as complementary feeding stuffs composed mainly of minerals and containing at least 40 % crude ash (Regulation (EC) No 767/2009) [3].


There are different categories of feed samples:


a)   Additives containing about 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/g;


b)   Premixtures containing about 1011 CFU/kg;


c)   Compound feeds, meal or pellets which contain about 109 CFU/kg.

Lactic acid bacteria found in animal feed must be identified and counted to ensure a positive effect. As we have repeatedly stated before, this is a must, so we advise you to study the information provided in this document on our website if you want to make a quality product.

Regulation of lactic acid bacteria in animal feed

The content of lactic acid bacteria in food, or in animal feed, if we are talking about animals, definitely has the ability to benefit the body. However, as we have repeatedly said, probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that can only be beneficial if their concentration is controlled. Therefore, we can conclude that the content of lactic acid bacteria in animal feed should be controlled and comply with the norms established in international standards, such as those that we described in this article. Another important factor that we would like to draw your attention to is that each genus of lactic acid bacteria has its own qualitative characteristics and characteristics, and, accordingly, requires its own separate methodology for detection and counting. Thus, companies that are in the animal feed industry and want their product to be better than their competitors must take into account the fact that food testing is multi-layered. In conditions of high competition in the market, at the moment, the loyalty of customers is received by the company that manages to maintain a balance between price and quality. If you want to produce a quality product, then you should know the international standards that govern your field of activity.

References:

https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/27ac68a6-b27b-4b8c-a185-75e7348fece0/sist-en-17550-2022 https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/4c95ae29-183f-48a4-a44c-7fd442dccc1c/sist-en-iso-24223-2022 https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/67054a3d-ccc9-4f4a-b0cc-8a0571fa2c79/sist-en-15786-2022 https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/c35a2030-a263-483e-9241-96e0ac4e8de1/sist-en-15784-2022 https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/sist/216aef6e-5980-4bdd-87fd-a243d6f8df85/sist-en-15787-2022