Meat Testing

Meat Testing

Hill Labs provides a diverse range of meat tests. Our methods are accredited for use in testing raw material and finished products. Latest technologies such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are used to ensure rapid and accurate identification of a variety of pathogens. We are accredited to perform STEC E. coli testing on meats for compliance with US OMAR. We also have a full range of heavy metals and proximate tests for meats.

Pathogen Testing

Hill Labs has an extensive array of pathogen-related tests that using either traditional culture, or molecular based detection. Our turnaround times are industry-leading and can be used with product or environmental swabs alike. Some of our routinely analysed pathogens are listed below.

  • Listeria species (by PCR)
  • Listeria monocytogenes (by PCR)
  • Salmonella (by PCR)
  • Aerobic plate count (APCs)
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Total coliforms
  • Faecal coliforms
  • E. coli
  • STEC E. coli ((including O157) by PCR)
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Camplyobacter

Heavy Metal Testing

Foods may become contaminated with heavy metals for many reasons. Many soil contaminants, such as heavy metals remain in biologically accessible states for extended periods of time, and are water-soluble, which means that they can bio-accumulate in fish, plants, meat, shellfish and potentially humans. As such testing soil, water, fruits, seafood, meats and vegetables for heavy metals is commonplace. Hill Labs has an extensive suite of heavy metal tests for use on everything from soil through to honey. Our technical notes will help guide you through what test may be right for your needs.

Contact us for more info!

Helpful links

Our team of testing experts has meticulously crafted these documents to offer recommendations tailored to your testing requirements.

Latest Stories

Hill News August 2026 - Update from our MD, Dr Jonno Hill

As I write this, we are finishing the clean up after a complex and high-stakes piece of work which was delivered over the weekend – an upgrade to the power supply at our largest lab, located in Hamilton. This has been months in the planning, and included a full power shut down to the site, with generators used to keep essential operations running until the power was restored.
  27 Aug 2026

From the Desk of Peter Lord – CEO

It has been a busy and productive year for Hill Labs, with several important milestones that reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting customers with reliable, responsive and innovative laboratory services. One of the highlights has been the successful establishment of our raw milk testing service from June. As the dairy season builds, sample numbers are now picking up, and it is encouraging to see this new capability already supporting the sector.
  27 Aug 2026

NZIFST – Looking to the Future!

Hill Labs was pleased to attend the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST) Conference again this year - an event that brings together a diverse group, including students, scientists, food technologists and new product developers from across the food sector.  
  27 Aug 2026

What our customers have to say

"We've always found them to be responsive in getting results back and giving advice on problems we might be facing."

Andrew Hutchinson, Technical Manager, Turners & Growers

"We strongly recommend Hill Labs as a sound testing service provider to the honey industry."

Nick Walker, Technical Manager, Egmont Honey

"Their sample registration system has made things simple and seamless - collect, scan and send!"

Mathew Bannister, Compliance Manager, First Fresh New Zealand

Accreditations

As a New Zealand accredited laboratory by International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), Hill Labs' commitment to quality is tantamount to our overall operating philosophy. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work.