Food Testing

Food Testing

Food Testing

Talk with an Expert

(713) 453-6060

A&B Food Testing has provided microbiological testing services in the Greater Houston area as an ISO/IEC 17025:2017, TCEQ and AIHA approved laboratory. Supporting food manufacturers, beverage companies, and the produce industry.!
A&B Food Testing analyzes a variety of substances for microbiological contaminants including irrigation and potable water, finished products, along with ambient, and compressed air. Our team of certified professionals are committed to providing quality data, personalized service, and turnaround times that meet the needs of the fast-paced food industry. We utilize FDA BAM, AOAC, CMMEF and USDA FSIS methods for food and related matrices. For ambient/compressed air, mold and bacteria parameters, A&B Labs utilizes AIHA accreditation. Potable water and irrigation water is analyzed using APHA methods.

A & B Labs offers the following Food Analyses

  • Salmonella
  • Shigella
  • E.coli
  • Listeria
  • Campylobacter
  • Vibrio
  • Aerobic Plate Count
  • Yeast & Mold
  • Product Testing
  • Validation Studies
  • Enterobacteriacease
  • Lactic Acid Bacteria
  • Bacteria
  • Psychrotrophic Bacteria
  • Staphylococcus Aureus
  • Bacillus Cereus
  • Dr. Wagner’s Shelf Life Analysis– Includes testing of the following: aerobic plate count, lactic acid bacteria, yeast and mold. Two container are needed for each product. 35 calendar days TAT
  • BRIX
  • Nutritional Label (Database)

Salmonella

Shigella

E.coli

Listeria

Campylobacter

Vibrio

Aerobic Plate Count

Yeast & Mold

Product Testing

Validation Studies

Enterobacteriacease

Lactic Acid Bacteria

Bacteria

Psychrotrophic Bacteria

Staphylococcus Aureus

Bacillus Cereus

BRIX

Nutritional Label (Database)

Standard Protocol

  • FDA BAM (Bacteriological Analytical Manual)
  • USDA
  • AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists)
  • CMMEF (Compendium of Methods of the Microbiological Examination of Foods)

QA/QC

  • API Proficiency testing

Tests

  • Coliforms – Total
  • Coliforms – Fecal
  • Coliforms – E. coli
  • Fecal Streptococcus
  • Enterococcus
  • Standard Plate Count
  • Heterotropic Plate Count
  • Aerobic Plate Count
  • Anaerobic Plate Count
  • Campylobacter
  • E. coli O157:H7
  • Legionella
  • Listeria
  • Shigella
  • Mold
  • Mold – Viable
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Staphylococcus
  • Vibrio
  • Yeast & Mold
  • PCR – HACCP

Pathogens

  • Listeria spp
  • Listeria Monocytogenes
  • Salmonella Spp
  • EcoliO157:H7
  • STEC
  • Campylobacter
  • Cronobacter
  • Shigella
  • vibrio

Indicators

  • Aerobic plate count
  • Anaerobic plate count
  • Lactic Acid bacteria
  • Coliofrm_total
  • Ecoli
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Yeast&mold
  • Staphylococcus
  • Clostridium spp
  • bacillus cereus
  • Water Activity
  • PH in food

Other tests that we offer

  • Validation studies
  • BRIX
  • Nutrition labeling( Database)
  • Dr wagner shelf-life testing
  • Product shelf-life testing
  • On-site HACCP sampling
  • Air Monitoring
  • Compressed Air Microbial testing
  • Mold_Viable

Accreditations

group-939
group-940
AIHA LAP, LLC – IH
group-942
group-938
group-943
group-946
group-945
food

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A & B Labs’ corporate office is located at 10100 East Freeway, Suite 100, Houston, Texas with service center locations in Harlingen (South TX), Euless (North TX), Nederland (TX Golden Triangle) and Baton Rouge, LA (coming soon). We serve clients throughout the United States based on our accreditations. Please view our Contact Us page for the full addresses of our service centers.

Monday – Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday Closed (Please call 713-453-6060 if Saturday testing is needed.)
Sunday Closed
After-hours / Emergency Testing Please call 713-453-6060 if emergency testing is needed after normal business hours or during holidays

Please contact your Project Manager at (713) 453-6060 or info@ablabs.com to schedule sample pick up and courier services in Houston and the surrounding areas, Bay City, Bloomington, Brazoria, Freeport, Ganado, Lake Jackson, Palacios, Port Lavaca, Port Comfort, Victoria, Wadsworth.

Sample pick up and courier services are also available in the areas near our service center locations in Harlingen and Corpus Christi (South TX), Euless (North TX), Nederland (TX Golden Triangle), Corpus Christi (South TX) and Baton Rouge, LA (coming soon). Additional locations may be available, please contact your Project Manager to learn more.

Our standard TAT is 7 business days or later for most tests. For test results needed in less than 7 business days, rush charges may apply. A & B Labs will provide the TAT on each quote.

Rush charges may apply to the tests, if needed and/or specified that the test must be rushed. Rush charges will only apply to those tests in which rushing the sample testing implies an actual cost.

1 BUSINESS DAY TURNAROUND TIME = 100% SURCHARGE (When applicable)
2 BUSINESS DAY TURNAROUND TIME = 75% SURCHARGE (When applicable)
3 BUSINESS DAY TURNAROUND TIME = 50% SURCHARGE (When applicable)
4 BUSINESS DAY TURNAROUND TIME = 25% SURCHARGE (When applicable)
Sample matrix may affect feasible turnaround time

Note for Asbestos: A prep charge fee will be incurred if the samples are prepped but not able to be analyzed due to step rules for overloading. Bulk PLM that requires a separate report and analysis for individual layers will be charged accordingly, per layer.

A & B Labs will pay for the outgoing sample kit shipment costs if the kit order is received 5 business days in advance by using the most cost effective means of shipping available (Examples: UPS Ground Service, FedEx Ground, FedEx Express 3 Day, etc…). For International shipping, the client is responsible for shipping costs both outbound and inbound.

A & B Labs can provide sample media (at cost with a surcharge) provided the laboratory is given at least 5 days notice. Routine kits include PVC filters, MCE filters, sorbent tubes, chain of custody forms and Federal Express return shipment forms with A & B Labs’ ID number. Other media, pumps and related equipment are available for additional charges. All sample media will be charged to the client immediately after the media kit is ordered or given to the client.

Our Corporate Location

Contact Us

We are looking forward to hearing from you. We will respond as soon as possible.