The battle between the human race and insects goes back to biblical times and still continues.  Insects and other pests attack man, his food, food plants and domestic animals.

We must recognize that insects live everywhere man does and that their remains are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.  The ability of insects to move freely between garbage and food, makes them possible disease-spreading pests.  It is generally accepted that in the food chain leading to us, insects are out of place, and in fact are indicative of either poor raw material selection, processing, or cleaning, or insufficient housekeeping.

Light Filth

With the increased importation of ground spices and the need to evaluate other commodities for filth, Certified Laboratories, Inc. utilizes microanalytical techniques. By using separation techniques and skilled element identification, a great deal can be discovered about the conditions under which your products were held and produced.

Sanitation

The presence of extraneous matter (filth) in spices has long been a major concern of the industry and of FDA.  "Filth" can best be described as the extraneous matters left behind by contaminants of the products.  These include whole insects and fragments, excreta, rat and mouse hairs and feather barbules.  Certified Laboratories, Inc. is recognized as experts in the field, having on its staff a former FDA analyst who is recognized nationwide as an expert in this area.  Certified Laboratories, Inc. stays current with changing FDA methodology and Defect Action Levels (DAL's), enabling us to tell you quickly and accurately whether or not your shipment will pass the rigid FDA and ASTA standards established for "Filth".
           
The ASTA sanitation program also includes testing of oregano for sumac and other adulterants.  We are proud to have been part of the working group that established and validated the current method for ASTA.