DTS Food Laboratories - Food Testing Laboratory

As one of Australia’s largest independent food testing laboratories, DTS Food Laboratories is steadily expanding its microbiological, chemical and physical analytical capabilities, which all contribute to the delivery of accurate and timely results in every aspect of the food industry - from raw materials to finished products.

DTS offers testing services to food manufacturing industries such as the meat, dairy, confectionery, beverage and allied industries, and the company can also provide monitoring of packaging materials, water and effluents.

Microbiological testing

Using Kiestra, the state-of-the-art automated microbiology system, DTS offers analysis for food pathogens such as Salmonella, E.coli, Listeria and staphylococcus; spoilage organisms affecting shelf life performance for perishable foods, and bacterial identification are among the wide range of microbiological services offered.

Pathogen testing

DTS offers a choice of either standard cultural techniques or rapid methods, including Vidas and BAX (PCR), to give you comprehensive results for pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria and E.sakazakii.

The range of tests that DTS can undertake includes: Bacillus cereus – spread plate, MPN and triplicate tube; Campylobacter – detection; Coagulase positive staphylococci – spread plate and triplicate tube; Enterobacter sakazakii – cultural and BAX; E.coli 0157 – BAX; Listeria – cultural, VIDAS, Tecra and BAX; Listeria monocytogenes – confirmation BAX; Salmonella – cultural, VIDAS, Tecra and BAX; Shigella – cultural; Staph enterotoxin; sulphite reducing Clostridia; Clostridium perfringens – spread plate, detection and MPN; and Vibrio.

Physical testing for food products

Sensory evaluations for taints, storage trials, head space analysis, photo microscopy, particle/mesh size, viscosity measurements, product functionality tests and foreign body identification are all offered by DTS. Using state-of-the-art equipment, such as Brookfield viscometers, sieve shakers, optical photo microscopes, freeze dryers, platform and high shear mixers, sample homogenisers and stomachers, centrifuges, and pH and conductivity meters, DTS can undertake a wide range of tests.

These tests include: appearance, bulk density, brix, colour, dispersibility, extraneous matter, flavour and odour, foreign matter, heat stability, insoluble matter, melting point, mesh size, scorched particles, sediment, specific gravity, solubility, solids (water and effluent), water activity, refractive index, pH, conductivity (water and effluents), density and viscosity.

Food allergen detection

Using the enzyme immuno-sorbant assay (ELISA) technique DTS' food allergen laboratories test for food allergens in raw materials, environmental swabs, material in production and end products. They are able to test and quantify peanut, hazelnut, almond, soy, sesame, milk (lactoglobulin and casein), egg, crustaceans and gluten proteins.

DTS can also provide customised training, giving your team the knowledge and tools to manage food allergens in your production environment.

GMO testing

The DTS GMO laboratory has been audited by NATA and is accredited to ISO 17025 for the detection of genetically modified organisms. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology analysts can detect the presence of genetically modified material at very low levels, and provide qualitative and quantitative GMO testing in raw materials and/or processed foodstuffs for the Australasian and South East Asian regions.

DTS’s GMO services can test for all commercialised GMO plants in the world and our standard screening tests can detect over 90% of GMO plant varieties in the marketplace. Our ability to offer the best GMO testing technology for the Australasian food and agricultural industries means we can respond to customer demands with internationally recognised GMO testing methods.

Chemistry and nutrition testing

One of the major global trends driving innovation across the food industry is the relationship between health, wellness and nutrition. DTS recognises this trend; the newly acquired and renovated Mark Street, Melbourne, facility is designed to meet the needs and expectations of both industry and retailers alike.

Chemistry and nutrition testing offered by DTS includes protein, fats (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, trans and omega), moisture, ash, vitamins, minerals, residue testing, dietary fibre and inulins. DTS can also offer consultation on FSANZ regulatory label compliance, and is the preferred supplier for the stringent National Heart Foundation Tick Program.