RL Food Testing Laboratory

08/25/2026

Not all supplements age the same way.
A capsule, a gummy, and a scoop of protein powder each break down differently over time:

💊 Capsule — cool, calm, low-moisture (but heat still gets to you)
🍬 Gummy — soft on the outside, moisture-sensitive on the inside
🥄 Powder — solid until humidity strikes
🦠 Probiotic — alive, declining, needs constant potency checks
💧 Liquid — the most complex to stabilize of them all

That's why shelf-life testing has to be tailored to the product, not just the ingredient. Curious how it works for different supplement types?

Read more: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/probiotics-gummies-and%20powders-unique%20shelf-life-challenges-in-dietary-supplements

Learn the unique shelf-life challenges affecting probiotics, gummies, and powders, including potency, stability, and storage risks.

08/24/2026

One lab, every label category

1️⃣ Food & Beverage — Nutrition Facts + analysis
2️⃣ Supplements — Supplement Facts + verification
3️⃣ Pet Food — Guaranteed Analysis + AAFCO
4️⃣ Restaurant Menus — Menu nutrition analysis

FDA • AAFCO • Health Canada compliant ✅

08/19/2026

"High protein" is everywhere on pet food labels, but does the number on the bag tell the whole story?

Not quite. Protein source, digestibility, and amino acid balance all affect how well pets actually use that protein. That's why high-protein pet food testing looks beyond the crude protein number to things like heavy metal screening, nutrient balance, and label accuracy.

See what goes into testing a high-protein formula: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/the-growing-demand-for-high-protein-pet-foods

Learn how protein testing, guaranteed analysis, digestibility, heavy metals, and labeling affect high-protein pet food products.

08/17/2026

Did you know undeclared allergens are one of the top causes of food recalls?

The oversight is often not intentional and caused by hidden allergens that can be introduced through cross-contamination during manufacturing.

Allergen testing verifies what's actually present in a finished product, giving manufacturers a way to confirm their labels are accurate before a product reaches consumers.

Allergen testing checks for the 9 major allergens:
🥛 Milk 🥚 Eggs 🐟 Fish 🦐 Shellfish 🌰 Tree nuts 🥜 Peanuts 🌾 Wheat 🫘 Soy 🌱 Sesame

Find out more about allergen testing services: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/allergens-testing

08/12/2026

What's really behind your Nutrition Facts panel?

Lab-tested nutrition data means:
✅ Accurate calorie & macronutrient values
✅ FDA-compliant label numbers
✅ Confidence your label matches your product
✅ A defensible foundation before you print

If you're launching a new product or haven't had your label independently verified recently, it's worth a look.

Find out more: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/nutrition-analysis

08/11/2026

Probiotic supplements are alive and that changes how long they stay effective.

Unlike vitamins, probiotics contain living microorganisms whose CFU counts decline over time, especially with heat and humidity exposure. That's why probiotic shelf-life testing and protective packaging (barriers, desiccants, and seals) matter so much for label accuracy.

See how probiotic stability testing works: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/probiotic-stability-testing-shelf-life-packaging-label-claims

Learn how shelf-life testing helps probiotic supplements maintain CFU potency, stability, label compliance, and product quality.

07/29/2026

AAFCO's Pet Food Labeling Modernization (PFLM) initiative is reshaping pet food labels — and it touches far more than packaging design.

The roadmap:
1️⃣ Classify the product & define functional claims
2️⃣ Run analytical testing (protein, fiber, moisture, fat, and more)
3️⃣ Build a compliant Pet Nutrition Facts panel
4️⃣ Finalize ingredient statements using AAFCO-accepted terminology

Brands have until 2030 to transition, but early movers avoid rushed reformulations and are better positioned as retailer and consumer expectations shift.

We break down where most brands run into trouble and how to get ahead of it:

Guide pet food brands through AAFCO PFLM compliance, from product classification and testing to Pet Nutrition Facts labels and claims.

07/28/2026

You may have seen the news: a Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce at some Taco Bell locations has caused 1,644+ illnesses so far. Here's the surprising part — washing lettuce doesn't guarantee removal, and the chlorine washes used in processing don't kill this parasite either.

Prevention comes down to controlling water quality, worker hygiene, and sanitation before lettuce ever reaches your plate — plus good recordkeeping so problems can be traced fast.

We break down how Cyclospora contaminates produce and what real prevention looks like:

Learn how Cyclospora contaminates lettuce, how testing works, and why water controls, traceability, and prevention matter.

07/15/2026

Building a food product involves a lot of moving parts, and compliance is one area where gaps tend to show up at the worst possible time.

Our food science consulting services help brands at every stage figure out the right testing plan, review labels for accuracy, and navigate FDA and AAFCO requirements with confidence.

Whether you're launching your first product or scaling an existing one, we're here to help you get it right. Learn more about our consulting services: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/services-and-pricing/consulting

07/14/2026

Accelerated shelf-life testing helps food and supplement companies get products to market faster, but it's not a perfect substitute for real-world testing.

Why? Because things like heat and humidity don't always speed up product changes the same way normal storage would. This can lead to:
🔹 Shelf-life claims that don't hold up over time
🔹 Missed risks with probiotics, refrigerated foods, or complex formulas
🔹 Packaging problems that only show up after launch

The good news is these issues are avoidable with the right testing strategy. We're sharing the most common mistakes manufacturers make (and how to fix them) in our latest article:

Learn the limitations of accelerated shelf-life testing, including packaging, microbiological, and stability risks.