Maximum residue limit testing

AGQ Labs is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory that offers one of the most comprehensive pesticide residue analysis and testing services in South Africa. Using state-of-the-art analytical equipment, AGQ Labs performs pesticide residue analysis quickly and accurately in our main laboratory in Spain. Included in the cost of service is access to our team of food safety experts and lab managers who have many years of experience interpreting pesticide residue results and addressing issues that can occur. 

From annual samples for certification purposes to routine samples for export compliance, AGQ Labs is the best choice laboratory for pesticide residue analysis. 

AGQ Labs, the only provider of IAS accredited laboratory services for pesticide residue testing in South Africa

Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture to protect crops against insects, fungi, weeds, and other pests.

Pesticide residue analysis is necessary to determine and quantify the presence of pesticides in food products, these are essential to guarantee food safety and comply with both international legislation and the specifications of European and international supermarket chains.

Our reports help clients to interpret their results by contrasting results against the maximum residue limits (MRL) of the main international markets.

AGQ Labs South Africa has extensive experience in the control and analysis MRL testing in foods, water and soil:

• To understand the performance of residues over time will reduce the risks of our client, avoiding economic damages, commercial penalties, or loss of image. 
• It’s a tool in the fight against pests. High level of confidence when operating, deciding the optimal harvest time, and having feedback that avoids risks in future campaigns. 
• It adds value to crop management and means of control (greater perception for certifiers and clients)

The methods used to analyse an MRL screen of pesticide residues consist of using gas chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass detector (GC/MS-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass detector (LC/MS-MS) 

The determination of pesticide residues in food and other matrices is based on an extraction using the QuEChERs methodology. This method combines two stages, one of extraction of the sample with acetonitrile and different salts, and a solid phase dispersion phase where cleaning or clean-up is carried out. Next, the identification and quantification of the compounds of interest is carried out by chromatographic analysis. 

To offer a more complete service, AGQ Labs continually adapts its analytical range, in its desire to meet the needs of its clients, both commercially and legally. For this reason, AGQ Labs has updated its screening, increasing the number of pesticides in its analytical procedures, both in Gas Chromatography (GC/MS-MS) and in Liquid Chromatography (LC/-MS-MS), analysing a total of 602 active substances. for matrices with high water content and high/low acid content and 584 active materials for fatty matrices. 

 We can issue an additional report listing the trace information in pesticide residue analysis (presence of active substances from 0.01 mg/kg to 0.003 mg/kg) known as traces. Traces are important to reduce risk in destination as well as controlling your organic production. 

At AGQ Labs we have the highest quality standards in terms of accreditations and certifications for the agri-food sector, thus helping our clientele to comply with the requirements of national and international markets. 

Other advantages when using AGQ Labs services: 

• German QS certification for our clients in South Africa
• Exquisite customer service
• Technical expertise and data interpretation 
• FDA Detentions supports with the help of our AGQ Labs USA branch 
• Online Client Portal - BeSafer, a powerful statistical tool 
• Samples collection