Processed Food Testing

Processed Food Testing

Hill Labs provides accredited methods for pesticides, heavy metals, nutritional information, allergen and microbiological testing in processed foods, including condiments such as herbs and spices.

Heavy Metal Testing

Food 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, fruits, vegetables, shellfish and potentially humans. As such testing soil, water, fruits 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.

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

Pesticide Residue Testing

Hill Labs has extensive experience in the analysis of pesticide residues. We have developed award winning purification systems that ensure the best possible extraction of contaminants across the most diverse array of sample types available in New Zealand. Our test offering is IANZ accredited and suitable for use in both domestic and export-based situations. A complete listing of available pesticide test options can be found in our easy-to-read technical note documents.

Allergen Testing

Testing products for allergens such as gluten, egg white and milk products Is important when wanting to ensure that a product conforms to its stated food labelling claims. Hill Labs offers a number of allergen tests for a variety of different products and drinks. 

Nutritional Panel Testing

Understanding the nutritional information of food, especially processed food is a food labelling requirement. Nutritional panel testing includes getting an understanding of a product’s, energy, protein, fat (total and saturated), carbohydrate (total and sugars) and sodium. Assessing so many components within multi-component food groups can provide a number of analytical challenges, however Hill Labs team of expert analysts have made the process simple and convenient. Simply complete one of our test submission forms and sample and we will take care of the rest.

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

Behind Every Tick: The Hill Labs Inspection & Certification Team

Operating at the intersection of regulation, people, and practical improvement, the Inspection & Certification team supports customers to meet today’s compliance requirements while building capability for the future, with trust, accountability, and collaboration at the heart of everything they do.
  09 Apr 2026

Media Release: Export growth, regulatory pressures drive expansion of inspection and certification services for Hill Labs

From 1 April 2026, the joint venture auditing and inspection services company formed by Hill Labs and auditing specialist, Samuel Brooks, will begin operating under a single, nationally recognised brand: Hill Labs. The joint venture, established in February 2025, remains a separate entity but will integrate its services with Hill Labs’ testing business.
  01 Apr 2026

Inspection & Certification Services Now Part of Hill Labs

In February 2025, we announced a 50:50 joint venture between Hill Labs and Sam Brooks, bringing Auditing Solutions and Food and Health Standards into shared ownership, followed in June by the acquisition of Food Safety Quality Solutions NZ (FSQSNZ). Building on this strong partnership, we’re pleased to let you know that from 1 April 2026, these joint venture services will operate under the Hill Labs name. 
  01 Apr 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.