Since the early 1950's, DFA has maintained a well equipped, professionally staffed laboratory that has the capability to perform pesticide, food additive,microbiological, filth, and mycotoxin analysis. DFA works closely with government, university, and various commodity boards in both sponsoring and initiating research.
DFA laboratory has been analyzing various mycotoxins since the late seventies. It has been involved in collaborative studies to develop official methods for the AOAC International and the AACC. The aflatoxin sampling protocol for the AACC was written by DFA lab personnel. The laboratory contracted with the AOAC International Research Institute to certify the first aflatoxin test kits. Thousands of mycotoxin analyses are performed annually to certify loads of various dried fruits and tree nuts. If aflatoxin, ochratoxin or patulin analyses are required for shipment, DFA laboratory is fully competent to meet your testing requirements.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONSAmerican Association of Cereal Chemists International Association of Official Analytical Chemists International Institute of Food Technology American Society of Microbiology International Association of Milk Food and Environmental Sanitarians |
DFA Laboratory1855 South Van NessFresno, CA 93721559-233-0604 phone559-233-9819 fax |
The DFA laboratory has analyzed pesticide residues in difficult food matrices
since 1969. Although the laboratory specializes in the analysis of dried fruit
and nuts, its analytical experience includes fresh and processed fruits, vegetables,
juice and juice concentrates, vinegars, and unusual samples, e.g. honey bees.
The DFA Pesticide Residue Program is an extensive screening process that includes
some 275 organophosphate (OP), organochlorine (OC), and carbamate pesticides.
It uses methodology developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and by
the State of California. The State of California Department of Food and Agriculture
has acknowledged the quality analytical services provided by the DFA in its
certification of our OP, OC, and carbamate analyses. DFA utilizes Gas Chromatography/Mass
Spectrometry (Ion trap, chemical ionization) to unambiguously identify and quantify
most pesticides to 10-25 ppb. The laboratory also utilizes High Performance
Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography (element specific detection), and
X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry to complete analyses.
The DFA laboratory offers expert services in the area of microbiological analysis and consulting. Samples are analyzed with methods approved by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists and the U.S. Food and Drug Association. Testing services offered include aerobic plate count, identification and quantification of yeasts and mold and pathogen screening (Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Listeria, coliforms and E. Coli, including O157:H7).
DFA's fumigation
research team is equipped to handle even the toughest tasks at
hand. Experimental fumigants are currently being tested at our
facility to determine insect mortality and their potential usefulness
for the food industry.
Since 1969, DFA has maintained a pesticide surveillance program for member products. In the first year of the program, DFA collected and analyzed over 100 samples. Now, DFA collects and analyzes over 1000 samples of member's products for pesticide residues. This surveillance program assures that all growers use pesticides in accordance with regulations. Pesticide use reporting is required under California law and it shows conclusively that pesticide use has decreased dramatically; something shown by the annual DFA Pesticide Residue Surveys.
DFA laboratory has been analyzing various mycotoxins since the late seventies. It has been involved in collaborative studies to develop official methods for the AOAC International and the AACC. The aflatoxin sampling protocol for the AACC was written by DFA lab personnel. The laboratory contracted with the AOAC International Research Institute to certify the first aflatoxin test kits. Thousands of mycotoxin analyses are performed annually to certify loads of various dried fruits and tree nuts. If aflatoxin, ochratoxin or patulin analyses are required for shipment, DFA laboratory is fully competent to meet your testing requirements.