Eggs are eaten as such and used widely as an ingredient: in pastries, pasta, mayonnaise, sauces, ice cream and egg powder. Unless otherwise stated, “eggs” means hens’ eggs; eggs from other species (duck, goose, quail, turkey) must be identified by species. ICA R&D tests shell eggs and egg products for laying farms, packing centres, processors and traders.
What we test
The quality and freshness of shell eggs are assessed through the condition of the shell, albumen and yolk, air cell height, weight grade and yolk index. For egg products we determine composition (dry matter, protein, fat, ash), egg content, cholesterol, pH and authorised preservatives.
Microbiological safety centres on Salmonella, together with Enterobacteriaceae and the other hygiene indicators; we can also test surfaces in production areas. For residues and contaminants we cover pesticides, veterinary antibiotics, metals and mycotoxins. Standardised methods also help detect adulteration, for example an egg content lower than declared.
Regulatory framework
- Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 – general principles of food law
- Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 – microbiological criteria for foodstuffs
- Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 – pharmacologically active substances and maximum residue limits
- Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 – maximum residue levels of pesticides
- Regulation (EU) 2023/915 – maximum levels for contaminants
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – food information to consumers
How we work
Shell eggs should be sent in their original packaging or in clean trays protected against impact; liquid and frozen egg products should travel chilled or frozen respectively. Please contact us beforehand to agree the number of eggs needed for the tests you require. Results are issued in a test report; accredited tests are marked as such in the report and are listed in the annex to RENAR accreditation certificate LI 871.
Parameters and determinations
Sensory examination and quality
- Shell appearance and colour authorised, not accredited
- Albumen and yolk authorised, not accredited
- Air cell height authorised, not accredited
- Weight grade authorised, not accredited
- Shell/content ratio authorised, not accredited
- Yolk index authorised, not accredited
- Foreign matter authorised, not accredited
- Odour and taste authorised, not accredited
- Percentage of quality defects authorised, not accredited
Physico-chemical parameters
- pH authorised, not accredited
- Moisture and dry matter RENAR accredited
- Ash RENAR accredited
- Cholesterol RENAR accredited
- Water activity subcontracted
Nutrition information and vitamins
- Energy value RENAR accredited
- Protein RENAR accredited
- Fat and fatty acid profile RENAR accredited
- Carbohydrates RENAR accredited
- Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium RENAR accreditedauthorised, not accredited
- Vitamins (A, D3, E, B vitamins) authorised, not accreditedsubcontracted
Microbiology
- Salmonella RENAR accredited
- Enterobacteriaceae RENAR accredited
- Escherichia coli RENAR accredited
- Coliforms RENAR accredited
- Coagulase-positive staphylococci RENAR accredited
- Listeria monocytogenes RENAR accredited
- Total aerobic count RENAR accredited
- Yeasts and moulds RENAR accredited
- Surface hygiene swabs (Salmonella) authorised, not accredited
Contaminants and residues
- Pesticide residues RENAR accredited
- Veterinary antibiotic residues subcontracted
- Metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As and others) RENAR accreditedauthorised, not accredited
- Mycotoxins authorised, not accredited
"RENAR accredited" links to the matching row of the accredited-tests table below (RENAR annex no. 1/24.04.2026); "authorised, not accredited" means authorised by ANSVSA (authorisation no. 95/24.09.2025) but outside the accreditation; "subcontracted" means performed by a partner laboratory. An analysis with two labels is accredited only for the matrices and methods in the table. "Not accredited" (non-food products, which need no authorisation) means performed in the ICA laboratory or by a partner laboratory, outside the accreditation.
This list is not exhaustive and not all determinations are accredited. For anything not listed here, please contact our sales team.