NEW TESTS

Methyl Cellulose Food Gum Method now approved

The use of methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl food gums in food manufacturing has recently increased due to the beneficial health effects provided by these fibers. These physiological benefits include promoting laxation, attenuating blood glucose levels, and reducing blood cholesterol levels. However, current AOAC and AACC official methods for dietary fiber are unable to detect these food gums due to their solubility in ethanol.

ABC Research Corporation participated in the AOAC Collaborative Study that led to the publication of AOAC Official Method 2006.08, Determination of Methylcellulose and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Food Gums in Food and Food Products.

The method subjects dried foods through sequential enzymatic digestion by heat stable α-amylase, protease, and amyloglycosidase to remove starch and proteins. After enzyme digestion, the solutions are refrigerated for full hydrolysis of the methylcellulose food gums. The chilled solutions are then filtered and analyzed by size-exclusion liquid chromatography.

Please contact us at info@abcr.com for more information.

(Source: ABC Research Corporation. Updated 9-4-2007)

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Analysis (DHA & EPA)

FDA Announces qualified health claim

On September 8th, 2004, the FDA announced the acceptance of a phrase for a qualified health claim for reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) on foods that contain EPA and DHA fatty acids. A qualified health claim is found on a food package and not within a Nutrition Facts panel.

The claim must state: "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of [name of food] provides [x] grams of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. [See nutrition information for total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content.]"

ABC Research Corporation provides EPA and DHA analysis via accredited methodology. Let ABC Research Corporation fill in the blanks for you.

To inquire about analysis of your product, please click on the contact us portion of this website and fill out an information request.

SOURCE ABC Research Corporation (Updated: 09-21-2004)

Vendor Specification Program (VSP)

ABC Research Corporation’s Vendor Specification Program (VSP) was designed to aid restaurant operators, retailers, wholesalers, and processors by insuring quality throughout the supply chain. ABC offers the VSP as an objective, 3rd party laboratory, combining our analytical services, sensory evaluation, and problem solving capabilities to present a nonbiased view of your products’ quality statistics. By assuring you are receiving products made within specification, financial losses due to diminished quality, increased waste, improper labeling, or low cook yield, can be minimized.

By randomly sampling products at either production, distribution, or at the end use, ABC Research can pinpoint sources of abuse or mishandling in the system. ABC is happy to work directly with your distribution centers or processors in receiving products. Depending on the products to be tested, any of the following parameters can be monitored on a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual basis:

• Case label
• Case closure
• Date code
• Ingredient/allergen statement
• Weights/volumes
• Package integrity
• Count/lb
• Broken pieces
• Viscosity
• Tenderness
• Maturation
• Piece dimensions
• Appearance, flavor, texture
• Species identification
• Defects
• Microbial counts
• Chemical parameters
• Proximate analysis

All services are customized to fit your product line. When changes occur in your testing needs, ABC Research can react quickly because of our centralized location and integrated relationship between our internal labs. VSP reports can also be customized to fit your company’s template and can be returned to you in paper or electronic form. Charges incurred for testing are based on testing frequency and the number of products tested in a given period of time making VSP testing a cost effective addition or alternative to your in-house lab. These charges can be billed to you or billed directly to your suppliers.

One unique feature of ABC’s VSP is that in addition to regular monitoring of product quality, ABC Research’s Vendor Specification Program can also help you identify new or alternative vendors through quality audits and difference and descriptive testing. This service allows you to approve vendors quickly, without tying up your in-house resources with the job of reviewing products or helping suppliers match current products. Furthermore, ABC Research will also help you write new specifications for product monitoring or work with you and your suppliers to tighten existing specifications.

ABC Research’s Vendor Specification Programs has been established to help you monitor your purchases and insure a high quality product is created by your suppliers and arrives to you in that same condition.

For more information on this exciting and innovative program, contact Dr. Gillian Dagan, Director of Product Performance Services at Gillian@abcr.com or (352) 372-0436 x 324.