Analysis of nuts

Producers and distributors of nuts face various challenges. Here are some of them:

Quality and storage: a major challenge is to ensure consistent quality of nuts. This includes monitoring the growing and harvesting processes, controlling pest infestations and ensuring proper storage conditions to preserve the freshness and flavor of the nuts. For example, incorrect storage can lead to pest infestation or nuts can become rancid in taste if stored too long.

Hygiene and contamination: Nuts are susceptible to contamination, for example by bacteria such as Salmonella, E.Coli, Listeria monocytogenes or molds, which can form mycotoxins such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin. Producers and distributors must implement strict hygiene and control measures to ensure food safety and minimize the risk of illness from eating contaminated nuts.

Residues: As nuts are agricultural products, there is a risk of contamination with pesticides, heavy metals or aflatoxins.

Acrylamide: If the nuts are roasted, acrylamide can also be formed due to the intense heating. This can potentially increase the risk of cancer among consumers. According to EU regulations, producers and distributors of (roasted) nuts must ensure that acrylamide levels are below the guide values.

Nuts as allergenic contaminants: Producers of nut products face the challenge that other nut-free products manufactured in the same production facility may also contain traces of nuts. These must be indicated on the nut-free products. Hazelnuts and peanuts in particular have allergenic potential.

Pesticides/residue analysis

Pesticides are often used in agriculture to control pests and diseases. If used improperly or excessively, pesticide residues can remain in the nuts. To ensure that the nuts comply with the permitted limits, control measures and guidelines for monitoring pesticide residues in agricultural products are implemented in many countries.

Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium or mercury can also be found in the soil on which nuts are grown. The plants can absorb these heavy metals, which can lead to minor contamination of the nuts.

To reduce the risk of contamination, quality controls, hygiene standards and residue analysis are used in the production and processing of nuts. Regulatory authorities set limits for pesticide residues, heavy metals and aflatoxins to ensure consumer safety.

The Tentamus Group laboratories carry out various analyses to detect possible contamination of your products. We will be happy to advise you on the appropriate analyses for your product.

Microbiological contamination

Salmonella: Salmonella are bacterial pathogens that can cause serious gastrointestinal illnesses. Nuts can be contaminated with Salmonella if they come into contact with contaminated raw materials during harvesting, processing or packaging or through improper hygiene practices.

E. coli: Certain strains of Escherichia coli bacteria, such as E. coli O157:H7, can also cause gastrointestinal illness. Contamination of nuts with E. coli can occur through unclean processing environments, contaminated irrigation water or contact with animal feces.

Molds: Nuts can be susceptible to mold infections, especially when stored in humid conditions or inadequately dried. Mold infestation can lead to the production of mycotoxins, including aflatoxins and ochratoxins, which are potentially harmful to health.

Listeria monocytogenes: Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause a foodborne illness known as listeriosis. Nuts can be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes if they come into contact with contaminated surfaces or are contaminated during processing.

To reduce these microbiological contaminations, strict hygiene measures are implemented in the nut industry. These include regular cleaning and disinfection of production facilities, monitoring of water quality and checks for salmonella and other pathogenic bacteria in accredited laboratories.

Compliance with food safety standards and guidelines is crucial to ensure the microbiological quality and safety of nuts. The laboratories of the Tentamus Group provide you with professional support and routinely carry out microbiological tests on your nut products.

Chemical analysis

Various chemical analyses are carried out on nuts to assess their quality, safety and nutritional properties. Here are some commonly performed chemical analyses:

Fat content: the determination of fat content is an important analysis for nuts as it is important for flavor, texture and nutritional value. Fat analysis is usually carried out by extracting the fat components and then quantifying them.

Protein content: The analysis of the protein content provides information about the nutrient content of the nuts and their contribution to a balanced diet. It is usually carried out using the Kjeldahl method or spectrophotometric methods.

Dietary fiber content: Dietary fiber is an important component of nuts and contributes to digestive health. The fiber content is analyzed by enzymatic or gravimetric methods.

Vitamin and mineral content: Nuts contain various vitamins and minerals that can influence their health benefits. The vitamin and mineral content is analyzed using spectrophotometric or chromatographic methods.

Our experts will be happy to advise you on which chemical analyses are necessary for your nut products and will carry them out for you competently.

When sampling and shipping samples of nuts to one of our Tentamus laboratories, it is particularly important to ensure that the samples are representative and that their integrity is maintained during transportation.

Sampling: Randomly select samples from different batches to obtain a representative sample. Ensure that the samples are clean and free from contamination.
Our trained employees are also happy to carry out the sampling on your premises. Simply contact our logistics team.

Sample shipment: Make sure that the samples are adequately packaged and protected from damage.

• Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (Contaminants Regulation)
• Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council (maximum residue levels of pesticides)
• Regulation (EU) No. 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 (Sampling methods and methods of analysis for mycotoxins)
• Contaminants Ordinance

The following laboratories from the Tentamus Group offer the analyses:

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