Laboratories

The Laboratory facility at apetito provides on site microbiological and nutritional analysis to ensure that all production is safe for our customers to eat.

apetito operates a Positive Release system, which means that product is kept on a quarantine hold until all microbiological tests are complete. Satisfactory results along with the results from our TAYGO panel will mean that the product can then be released by the Laboratory and will be made available for dispatch to customers.

The testing activities in our chemistry Lab allows us to monitor the nutritional values of our products as well as checking these values for the raw materials we receive from our suppliers.

All the methods used in both laboratories are accredited through Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association.

John Gillespie is apetito's Technical Compliance Manager and explains how the company goes well beyond regulatory obligations:

"Many of our customers are vulnerable people. The average age of our meals-on-wheels consumer is 83. It is important that we are socially responsible and have robust systems in place to ensure not only that their meals are always safe, healthy and nutritious, but that we can maintain continuity of supply.

It is a terrific responsibility to think that so many people depend on us for their daily meals. We provide the scientific back-up to complement the work of the tasters and quality checkers, using HACCP - Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point - a quality management system that is verified by the European Food Safety Inspection Service every year.
There are nine specialists in our microbiology lab who receive samples from the food batches to test for a range of harmful bacteria, such as E.coli. Until these tests have been completed our meals are quarantined. Once a batch has passed the tests, only then is it authorised as safe for distribution. This is known as the "positive release" system. Unlike our frozen product, chilled meals cannot have this advantage, as they need to be with the consumer as quickly as possible.

We presently undertake more than 10,000 microbiological tests a month. Very few batches fail to meet our stringent standards. We believe that this is because of our rigorous hygiene and quality control during production, but we can never let our guard down."