Test kits are milking it

Greater emphasis on fat content in dairy foods and concern over antibiotic residues in milk has led to two innovations.

Specialist dairy lab Eurofins, which provides calibration samples for the shrinking number of processors using in-house infrared testing for fat content, has launched its first sets for semi-skimmed calibration in response to demand for "skinny" products. Meanwhile, DSM Food Specialties, has introduced an enhanced testing system - the Delvotest SP-NT - to spot antibiotics and sulphonamides at all stages of liquid milk processing.

"The chemistry of milk protein and fat is quite different to that from other origins," says Steve Revett of Eurofins. "If companies do decide to keep their milk tests in house, it is important that they calibrate their instruments."

''Contact Eurofins Tel 01902 743222 Contact DSM Specialties Tel 0031 15 279 2355''