What do Public Analysts do?

Food 

Public Analysts can give advice to enforcement agencies on the most appropriate analysis to be carried on a food products based on risk assessment, legislation and expert knowledge and, where applicable, interpret the results within a legal framework. They can also draw comparisons with opinion expressed by expert committees, the Food Standards Agency, LACORS and/or trade associations.

Agriculture

Our public analysts can give advice with animal and plant nutritional requirements as most of our Public Analysts also hold appointments as Agricultural Analysts under The Agriculture Act 1970. This requires knowledge of animal and plant nutritional requirements in order to assess if any non-compliance is prejudicial to the purchaser.

Factory Inspections

Public Analysts can provide advice on factory inspections. Many Trading Standards Officers have found that a Public Analyst's technical expertise enables them to make a valuable contribution to factory inspections. On occasions Eurofins Public Analysts have been asked to lead the inspection and share their expertise.

Consumer Protection

Public analysts can provide assistance with consumer protection such as children's toys and other goods. The appointment of Public Analysts is a legal requirement only for food analysis; still many Public Analysts also have expertise in other fields of consumer protection such as children's toys, cosmetics and other consumer goods.

Labelling Advice

Public Analysts are experts on food labelling requirements and can give advice on how foods should be labelled for the UK market. Small and medium sized manufacturers often seek advice from their local trading standards department as to how their product should be labelled and tested, therefore many Trading Standards Officers find it helpful to seek advice from their public analyst.

Technical Advice

Local authorities are sometimes approached by manufacturers for assistance with technical problems relating to their product such as "Why is my jam going mouldy?" or "Why are my sausages going off so quickly?" and this is also an area where the technical expertise of the Public Analyst can be of assistance.

Email publicanalyst@eurofins.co.uk for further information.