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Sweets, chocolate and honey testing

Testing for sugar, confectionery, chocolate and cocoa products, bakery confectionery and honey: composition, quality parameters, contaminants and microbiology.

56 RENAR-accredited testsAnnex no. 1 of 24.04.2026See the table

Sugar-based products cover a wide range: sugar itself, caramel products, jellies, sweets, chocolate and cocoa products, bakery confectionery and honey. ICA R&D tests these products for manufacturers, importers and traders against legal requirements and commercial specifications.

What we test

For sugar we offer the quality parameters used in trade, determined by SR and ICUMSA methods: polarisation, moisture, conductivity ash, solution colour and turbidity, reducing substances, insoluble matter and sulphur dioxide.

For honey, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and diastase activity indicate freshness and heat treatment, while moisture, acidity and the sugar profile complete the quality assessment. In chocolate and cocoa products we determine fat, milk fat, cocoa butter equivalents, theobromine and sugars. For confectionery we check composition, authorised preservatives, sweeteners and fat oxidation indices.

Microbiological testing covers hygiene indicators and the relevant pathogens. Contaminant testing includes metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mycotoxins (for example ochratoxin A in cocoa) and pesticide residues. We can also test for allergens (milk, egg, soy, gluten) and screen for genetically modified organisms.

Regulatory framework

  • Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 – general principles of food law
  • Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey
  • Directive 2000/36/EC relating to cocoa and chocolate products
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/915 – maximum levels for contaminants
  • Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 – food additives
  • Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 – microbiological criteria for foodstuffs
  • Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 – food information to consumers

How we work

Samples should be sent in their original packaging or in closed containers, protected from heat and moisture. We can help you choose the tests that fit the product and the purpose. 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

  • Appearance and shape authorised, not accredited
  • Colour authorised, not accredited
  • Texture authorised, not accredited
  • Taste authorised, not accredited
  • Aroma authorised, not accredited

Sugar

Honey

Chocolate, cocoa products and confectionery

Additives

  • Sorbic, benzoic and propionic acid authorised, not accredited
  • Sulphur dioxide RENAR accredited
  • Sweeteners authorised, not accredited

Microbiology

Contaminants

  • Metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, Hg, As and others) RENAR accreditedauthorised, not accredited
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) subcontracted
  • Mycotoxins (ochratoxin A, aflatoxins) RENAR accreditedauthorised, not accredited
  • Pesticide residues RENAR accredited

Allergens and molecular biology

  • Milk, egg, soy and gliadin allergens authorised, not accredited
  • GMO screening (35S promoter, NOS terminator) RENAR 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.

Request a quote

Tell us the product and the tests you need; our sales team will reply with a quote.

Request a quote

[email protected]

+40 31 410 2020

Samples received after 13:00 are registered and start testing on the next working day.

RENAR-accredited tests

Source: Annex no. 1 to RENAR accreditation certificate LI 871, issued 24/04/2026. Annex (PDF)

RENAR-accredited tests – Sweets, chocolate and honey testing. Source: Annex no. 1 to RENAR accreditation certificate LI 871, issued 24/04/2026.
TestMatrixReference documentAnnex no.
Determination of trace elements: zinc, copper, iron, manganese (FAAS) Foodstuffs (except oils, fats and very fatty products) SR EN 14084:2003; STAS 1807/1-83; SR EN 13804:2013; SR EN 13805:2015; PS-CH-01 1
Determination of tin (FAAS) Foodstuffs SR EN 13804:2013; SR EN 13805:2015; SR EN 15764:2010; PS-CH-62 1
Determination of calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium (FAAS) Foodstuffs SR EN 15505:2008; SR ISO 8070:2008; SR EN ISO 7980:2002; ISO 9964-1:1993; ISO 9964-2:1993; SR EN 13804:2013; SR EN 13805:2015; SR 6182-30:2009; SR 6182-33:1993; SR 6182-32:1993; PS-CH-40 1
Determination of trace elements: lead, cadmium (GFAAS) Foodstuffs (except oils, fats and very fatty products) SR EN 14083:2003; SR EN 14084:2003; STAS 1807/1-83; SR EN 13804:2013; SR EN 13805:2015; PS-CH-01 2
Determination of chromium (GFAAS) Foodstuffs SR EN 14083:2003; SR EN 13804:2013; SR EN 13805:2015; PS-CH-62 2
Determination of trace elements: arsenic (HGAAS) Foodstuffs (except oils, fats and very fatty products) STAS 1807/1-83; SR EN 13804:2013; SR EN 13805:2015; SR EN 14627:2005; PS-CH-01, Ediție 10.07.2025 3
Determination of trace elements: mercury (CVAAS) Foodstuffs (except oils, fats and very fatty products) STAS 1807/1-83; SR EN 13804:2013; SR EN 13805:2015; SR EN 13806-1:2025; PS-CH-01 4
Determination of sulphur dioxide in sugar White sugar; brown sugar; raw sugar SR 110-11:1998; ICUMSA Method GS2-33 (2022); PS-CH-21 7
Determination of solution colour White sugar; brown sugar; raw sugar SR 110-2:1995; ICUMSA Method GS 2 -10 (2024); ICUMSA Method GS1 -7 (2024; PS-CH-22 8
Determination of turbidity of a sugar solution White sugar; icing sugar SR 110-2 :1995; ICUMSA Method GS 2/3-18 (2013); PS-CH-37 9
Determination of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), Winkler method Honey SR 784-3:2009, cap.4.9; SR 784-3:2009/C91:2012; PS-CH-56 10
Determination of fatty acid content by gas chromatography Foodstuffs SR EN ISO 12966-2:2017; SR EN ISO 661:2006; SR EN ISO 661:2006/AC:2007; SR EN ISO 12966-4:2015; SR ISO 15885:2008; ISO 14156:2025; PS-CH-30 Ediţia din 10.01.2026 16
Pesticide residues by GC (QuEChERS) Foods of non-animal origin (plant products with high water content; plant products with high acid and high water content; plant products with high sugar and low water content; plant products with high oil and low water content; plant products with high starch and protein and low water and fat content, dried products) ISO 14181:2000; ISO 3890-1:2009 (IDF 75-1:2009); ISO 3890-2:2009 (IDF 75-2:2009); PS-CH-121 Ediția din 10.02.2026 17
Pesticide residues by LC (QuEChERS) Foods of non-animal origin (plant products with high water content; plant products with high acid and high water content; plant products with high sugar and low water content; plant products with high oil and low water content; plant products with high starch and protein and low water and fat content, dried products) ISO 3890-1:2009 (IDF 75-1:2009); ISO 3890-2:2009 (IDF 75-2:2009); PS-CH-122 Ediția din 10.02.2026 20
Determination of acesulfame K, aspartame and saccharin by HPLC-DAD Foodstuffs of non-animal origin SR EN 12856:2001; PS-CH-105 Ediția din 10.01.2022 21
Determination of cyclamate by HPLC-DAD Foodstuffs of non-animal origin SR EN 12857:2001; PS-CH-109 Ediția din 10.01.2022 22
Determination of sugars by LC-IR (xylose, fructose, glucose, galactose, sucrose, turanose, maltose, trehalose, lactose, melezitose, maltotriose, raffinose) Foodstuffs and food supplements PS-CH-128, Ediţia din 10.05.2025 23
Determination of acrylamide by LC-MS after acetonitrile extraction/partitioning and dispersive SPE clean-up (modular QuEChERS method) Heat-treated foodstuffs PS-CH-132, Ediţia din 10.02.2023 24
Determination of ochratoxin A by ELISA Cocoa powder Metoda ELISA – Neogen Veratox 8610; Metoda ELISA RIDASCREEN, cod: R-1312; PS-CH-32 Ediţia din 25.03.2022 26
Determination of conductivity ash in sugar White sugar; brown sugar; raw sugar SR 110-2:1995; ICUMSA Method GS2/3/9-17 (2011); ICUMSA Method GS1/3/4/7/8-13 (1994); PS-CH-26 28
Determination of pH White sugar; brown sugar; raw sugar; sweet products SR 110-12:1998; SR 2213-9:2009; SR ISO 2917:2007; SR ISO 1842:2008; SR EN ISO 10523:2012; PS-CH-27 29
Determination of total nitrogen and calculation of protein content Sweet products SR ISO 937:2023; SR EN ISO 8968-1:2014; SR EN ISO 20483:2014; SR 13013-3:1994; SR 2213-17:2009; SR 8613-6:2009; SR EN ISO 5983-1:2006; SR EN ISO 5983-1:2006/ AC:2009; PS-CH-38 Ediţia din 10.07.2025 32
Determination of protein content by the Dumas method Foodstuffs PS-CH-126, Ediţia din 10.02.2023 33
Determination of sugar content Sweet products SR 2213-12:2009, cap. 6, 7; STAS 1227/3-90, cap.11; STAS 6182/17-81; SR 6182-18:2009; SR 6182-18:2009/C91:2009; SR 184-4:2009; SR 91:2007, cap. 13.2; PS-CH-23 Ediţia din 10.01.2022 35
Determination of acidity Sweet products SR 90:2007, cap.12.3; STAS 756/3-85, cap. 8; SR 91:2007, cap.11; SR ISO 750:2008; SR 8613-4:2009; SR 2213-22:2009; SR 2213-22:2009/C91:2012; SR 143:2008, Anexa B; SR ISO 6092:2008; SR 6182-1:2008; SR 184-5:1997; SR 184-5:1997/C91:2012; SR 2567-1:1996; PS-CH-13 Ediţia din 10.01.2022 38
Determination of reducing substances in sugar White sugar; raw sugar Metoda ICUMSA GS2/9-6 (2011); Metoda ICUMSA GS1-5 (2009); PS-CH-57 39
Determination of peroxide value Foodstuffs; animal and vegetable fats and oils SR 13531:2008; PS-CH-100 Ediţia din 10.01.2022 40
Determination of water-insoluble matter White sugar; icing sugar; brown sugar; raw sugar SR 110-8:1995; ICUMSA Method GS2/3/9-19 (2007); PS-CH-24 43
Determination of total ash and hydrochloric acid-insoluble ash Sweet products SR ISO 763:2008; SR 91:2007, cap.16; SR 90:2007, cap. 21; SR ISO 928:2009; ISO 930:1997; SR ISO 936:2009; SR 2213-6:2009; SR EN ISO 2171:2023; SR ISO 1577:1999; SR ISO 1575:1999; SR ISO 7514:1999; STAS 756/3-85, cap.10; PS-CH-28 Ediţia din 10.07.2025 44
Determination of moisture and dry matter Sweet products; white sugar, brown sugar and raw sugar ISO 6731:2023; SR EN ISO 5534:2004; SR ISO 3728:2009; SR EN ISO 3727-1:2002; SR ISO 6673:2009; SR 6124-1:1999; SR 90:2007, cap 11; SR 91:2007, cap.10; SR EN ISO 712-1:2024; SR 2213-4:2007; SR 110-3:1995; ICUMSA Method GS 2/1/3/9-15 (2007); SR ISO 1442:2023; SR 8613-1:2009; SR ISO 11294:1998; SR ISO 11294:1998/C91:2009; STAS 756/3-85, cap. 7; STAS 1227/3-90, cap. 8; PS-CH-44 Ediţia din 15.05.2025 45
Determination of moisture and ash (thermogravimetry) Foodstuffs, except oils and sugar PS-CH-125, Ediţia din 10.11.2023 46
Determination of fat content, gravimetric method Sweet products SR EN ISO 1736:2009; SR EN ISO 7328:2009; SR EN ISO 2450:2009; SR EN ISO 17189:2005; SR ISO 1444:2008; SR 8613-5:2009; SR 2213-11:2007; SR EN ISO 659:2009; SR 91:2007, cap.14.4; STAS 1227/3-90, cap.12; PS-CH-34 Ediţia din 10.01.2022 47
Determination of lipid content by microwave-assisted extraction Foodstuffs PS-CH-127, Ediţia din 10.02.2023 48
Determination of total, insoluble and soluble dietary fibre Foodstuffs; cereals Metoda AOAC 991.42; Metoda AOAC 985.29; PS-CH-58 52
Mass determinations (net weight, drained weight, mass proportions of components, mass grading) Foodstuffs and feed SR 2213-3:2009; STAS 6516-90; STAS 5951-83; Metoda AOAC 968.30; PS-CH-11 Ediţia din 10.01.2022 53
Determination of polarisation and sucrose White sugar; brown sugar; raw sugar SR 110-4:1995; ICUMSA Method GS2-1 (2022; ICUMSA Method GS1-1 (2022); PS-CH-25 55
Determination of soluble solids (refractometric) Sweet products SR ISO 2173:2008; SR 2213-5:2009; PS-CH-120 Ediţia din 10.07.2025 56
Determination of volume in the package Liquid foodstuffs PS-CH-10, Ediţia din 10.02.2023 61
Determination of density Foodstuffs PS-CH-07, Ediţia din 10.02.2023 62
Qualitative determination of genetically modified DNA using the SureFood GMO SCREEN 35S/NOS/FMV + IAC kit Foodstuffs Manual kit SureFood GMO SCREEN 35S/NOS/FMV + IAC (R-Biopharm, cod: S2126): Version : December 2016, CONGEN Biotechnologie GmbH, BERLIN, Germany.; PS-MB-117 Ediţia din 20.02.2023 63
Enumeration of microorganisms, colony count at 30 °C Foodstuffs SR EN ISO 4833-1:2014; SR EN ISO 4833-1:2014/A1:2022; SR EN ISO 4833-2:2014; SR EN ISO 4833-2:2014/A1:2022; SR EN ISO 4833-2:2014/AC:2014; PS-MB-01 64
Enumeration of coliforms Foodstuffs SR ISO 4832:2009; PS-MB-02 65
Enumeration of β-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli – colony count at 44 °C Foodstuffs SR ISO 16649-2:2007; PS-MB-03 66
Detection of Salmonella Foodstuffs SR EN ISO 6579-1:2017; SR EN ISO 6579-1:2017/A1:2020; PS-MB-04 67
Enumeration of coagulase-positive staphylococci Foodstuffs SR EN ISO 6888-1:2021; SR EN ISO 6888-1:2021/ A1:2023; PS-MB-05 68
Enumeration of presumptive Bacillus cereus – colony count at 30 °C Foodstuffs SR EN ISO 7932:2005; SR EN ISO 7932:2005/ A1:2020; PS-MB-06 69
Enumeration of yeasts and moulds Foodstuffs SR ISO 21527-1:2009; SR ISO 21527-2:2009; PS-MB-07 70
Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae Foodstuffs PS-MB-21 Ediţia din 10.07.2025 72
Detection of Listeria monocytogenes Foodstuffs SR EN ISO 11290-1:2017; PS-MB-22 73
Enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes Foodstuffs SR EN ISO 11290-2:2017; PS-MB-34 74
Enumeration of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria – colony count at 30 °C Foodstuffs SR ISO 15214:2001; PS-MB-33 75
Enumeration of sulphite-reducing bacteria growing under anaerobic conditions Foodstuffs SR ISO 15213-1:2023; PS-MB-24 76
Detection and enumeration of Campylobacter spp. – colony-count technique Foodstuffs SR EN ISO 10272-2:2017; SR EN ISO 10272-2:2017/A1:2023; PS-MB-32 Ediţia din 10.07.2025 82
Detection of Salmonella spp. by VIDAS UP (SPT) – ELFA Foodstuffs Metoda Biomerieux – VIDAS UP Salmonella (SPT); PS-MB-37 Ediţia din 10.07.2025 83
Calculation of total carbohydrate, available carbohydrate and energy value of food products Foodstuffs Regulamentul (UE) nr. 1169/2011, anexa XIV. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper- Food energy –Methods of analysis and conversion factors; PS-CH-63 Ediţia din 10.01.2024 84
Calculated values (e.g. total sugar in dry matter, acidity in soluble solids, total ash in dry matter) Sweet products; white sugar, brown sugar and raw sugar PS-CH-63, Ediţia din 10.01.2024 85

Accreditation covers only the test – matrix – method combinations in the table. The accreditation status of each result is stated on the test report.

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