Pet food manufacturers work with varied raw materials, different thermal processes (extrusion, sterilisation, drying) and strict traceability and hygiene requirements. Laboratory testing confirms that a product matches its label declaration and is safe for the animal and for the people who handle it. ICA R&D tests dry, wet and canned food for dogs, cats and other companion animals, as well as the raw materials used to make it.
What we test
The analytical constituents declared on the label (moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, crude ash) are checked alongside minerals, vitamins, amino acids and the fatty acid profile. For high-fat products we follow oxidation (free fatty acids, peroxide value, anisidine, TBA), and for fish-based products histamine and biogenic amines. Process parameters such as starch gelatinisation help control extrusion.
Safety is assessed through testing for metals, mycotoxins, pesticide and antibiotic residues and melamine, and through microbiological testing for Salmonella, Listeria, Enterobacteriaceae and the other indicators. For canned products we carry out the microbiological analysis of hermetically sealed containers. We can also support shelf-life studies (rancidity, nutrient degradation).
Regulatory framework
- Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 – placing on the market and use of feed, including labelling
- Directive 2002/32/EC – undesirable substances in animal feed
- Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 – general principles of food and feed law
- Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 – maximum residue levels of pesticides
- Regulation (EU) 2017/625 – official controls
How we work
Samples should be sent in their original packaging; opened wet food should travel chilled. We can recommend the right set of tests for label verification, raw material control or periodic monitoring. 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
Analytical constituents
- Moisture and dry matter RENAR accredited
- Crude protein RENAR accredited
- Crude fat RENAR accredited
- Crude fibre authorised, not accredited
- Crude ash RENAR accredited
- Total, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre authorised, not accredited
- Amino acids subcontracted
- Fatty acid profile authorised, not accredited
Minerals and vitamins
- Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium authorised, not accredited
- Vitamins (A, C, E) authorised, not accreditedsubcontracted
Oxidation and freshness
- Anisidine value subcontracted
- Histamine and biogenic amines subcontracted
Contaminants
- Metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As and others) authorised, not accredited
- Mycotoxins authorised, not accredited
- Pesticide residues RENAR accredited
- Melamine and cyanuric acid subcontracted
- Antibiotic residues subcontracted
Microbiology
- Salmonella RENAR accredited
- Enterobacteriaceae RENAR accredited
- Escherichia coli RENAR accredited
- Listeria monocytogenes RENAR accredited
- Clostridium perfringens subcontracted
- Bacillus cereus RENAR accredited
- Campylobacter spp. RENAR accredited
- Yeasts and moulds RENAR accredited
- Canned product analysis RENAR accredited
Molecular biology
- Species identification authorised, not accredited
- GMO screening 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.