RL Food Testing Laboratory

10/17/2025

Allergen and gluten testing play a critical role in ensuring pasta products meet safety and labeling standards. From verifying “gluten-free” claims to identifying cross-contact risks, accurate testing helps maintain product integrity and consumer confidence.

Our latest article explores:
✅ FDA’s Gluten-Free Labeling Rule and FALCPA requirements
✅ The role of ELISA and PCR testing in gluten detection
✅ Best practices for preventing cross-contact in pasta facilities

Read the full article to learn how testing supports compliance:
https://ow.ly/Wfzr50XahKi

Learn how U.S. pasta manufacturers can meet FDA requirements for gluten testing, wheat allergen labeling, and cross-contamination prevention under FSMA and HACCP.

10/15/2025

⚠️ Industry Alert: Georgia Nut Company (GNC), a third-party manufacturer for Tru Fru, LLC, has announced a voluntary recall of select Tru Fru Freeze-Dried products due to the potential presence of metal in the product.

Consumers and distributors should check affected lot codes and product details provided by the FDA.

🔗 Read the full FDA announcement here:
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/georgia-nut-company-gnc-third-party-manufacturer-tru-fru-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-specific

At RL Labs, we support manufacturers in maintaining product quality and consumer safety through advanced testing and contamination prevention.

Today, Tru Fru, LLC announced that its third-party manufacturer, Georgia Nut Company (GNC) issued a voluntary recall of specific varieties of Tru Fru Freeze Dried products due to the potential presence of metal in the product. Hard or sharp foreign objects in food may cause traumatic injury includi

10/14/2025

⚠️ FDA Alert: Elevated Heavy Metals in Cinnamon

As cinnamon season kicks into full swing, the FDA has expanded its public health alert about elevated levels of lead and other heavy metals in certain ground cinnamon products. Consumers should review the updated list of affected brands and take precautions.

FDA Public Health Alert: https://ow.ly/tQXG50XajtZ

Find out more about heavy metal testing in spices: https://ow.ly/HJUf50XajtY

10/09/2025

FDA Update for Food Manufacturers: Coconut is no longer classified as a tree nut under U.S. allergen labeling laws.

What does that mean for your labels, ingredient lists, and export compliance? Here's what you need to know about this change—and why coconut allergy still matters.

Read the full breakdown: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/fda-removes-coconut-from-tree-nut-list

Learn how the FDA's 2025 update impacts coconut allergen labeling. Find out what food manufacturers need to change and what risks still remain.

10/07/2025

Retailers are quietly raising the bar on food safety testing.

Big-box and grocery chains like Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods now expect suppliers to meet tighter standards in:
✅ Heavy metal testing (lead, arsenic, cadmium)
✅ Allergen verification (sesame, gluten, tree nuts)
✅ Microbial screening (Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli)

Even though FDA regulations don’t require this yet, your retail partners might. Staying shelf-ready means going beyond compliance.

Learn more: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/new-testing-requirements-from-u-s-retailers

U.S. retailers like Target and Kroger now demand stricter food safety testing from suppliers—covering heavy metals, allergens, and microbial risks.

10/02/2025

Calories, caffeine, and sugar content vary widely between coffee products, whether they’re bottled cold brews or café creations. Find out more about how nutrition labeling and calorie disclosure apply to both packaged products and fresh-brewed beverages.

📖 The Science Behind Your Morning Cup: Calorie and Nutrition Labeling for Coffee: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/nutritional-labeling-for-coffee-products

Accurate nutritional labeling and caffeine testing are essential in coffee manufacturing. Learn how to meet FDA requirements and consumer demand for transparency.

09/16/2025

📦Is your packaging helping or hurting shelf-life?

From oxygen control to moisture barriers, packaging is a key player in food quality and shelf stability—not just an afterthought.

In our latest article, we break down the science behind packaging materials, barrier properties, MAP, and the trade-offs between sustainability and performance.

Read more: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/the-role-of-packaging-in-shelf-life

Discover how packaging materials, barrier properties, and design choices directly impact food shelf-life, safety, and product quality.

09/11/2025

Are your pet food ingredient labels AAFCO-compliant? 🐾

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets guidelines for how ingredients must be listed on pet food products—down to the order they appear and the smallest trace amounts.

Read a breakdown of the requirements, including:
✅ Why every ingredient must be declared
✅ How to order ingredients above and below the 2% threshold
✅ The role of functional ingredients like vitamins, minerals, and preservatives
✅ A real-world example to illustrate the rules in action

Read the full article:

AAFCO ingredient listing rules for pet food: learn labeling requirements, 2% threshold, order of listing, and functional ingredient disclosure.

09/04/2025

At RL Labs, we provide precise nutritional analysis to help food manufacturers meet FDA requirements and deliver transparent, trustworthy labels.

Accuracy matters—for compliance, quality, and consumer trust.

https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/services-and-pricing/testing

08/26/2025

What does the FDA-NIH Nutrition Regulatory Science Program mean for food manufacturers?

The FDA and NIH have announced a groundbreaking initiative focused on how food additives, ultra-processed ingredients, and early-life nutrition affect chronic disease risk. This is more than a research program—it’s the beginning of regulatory shifts in nutrition labeling, additive safety, and front-of-package communication.

Read more about what this program might mean here:

The FDA and NIHs Nutrition Regulatory Science Program aimed at advancing food policy will impact food labeling, additive safety, and product formulation.

08/22/2025

AAt RL Labs, we know how important it is for food products to be safe, reliable, and trusted. That’s why we focus on the top 3 tests every product needs:
� Shelf-life testing
� Food safety testing
� Nutrition analysis

These tests are essential for protecting quality and giving consumers confidence in the foods they choose.

08/12/2025

Choosing the right food testing lab isn’t just about getting results—it’s about ensuring accuracy, compliance, and trust. From nutritional analysis to allergen testing, the right partner can make all the difference.

Read more about what to look for: https://ow.ly/uluG50WCqSv

Choosing the right food testing lab is essential for accurate nutritional analysis, regulatory compliance, and consumer trust. Manufacturers should consider factors like accreditation, expertise, technology, and customer support to build a reliable and valuable partnership.