Cereals and pulses are staple components of global diets, forming the foundation of food systems in agriculture, manufacturing, and retail. Due to their widespread consumption and pivotal role in nutrition, ensuring the quality, safety, and regulatory compliance of cereal grains and pulses is a core requirement for manufacturers, exporters, and food supply chain stakeholders. HQTS’s comprehensive Cereals and Pulses Quality Testing Services help businesses mitigate risk, meet standards, and deliver products consumers trust.
Why Cereals & Pulses Quality Testing Matters
Cereals and pulses including wheat, rice, maize, barley, millet, lentils, chickpeas, and beans can be exposed to physical contamination, moisture-driven spoilage, chemical residues, and biological hazards throughout production, processing, storage, and distribution. Accurate laboratory testing helps organizations:
- Confirm food safety and hygiene
- Assess nutritional quality and labelling accuracy
- Validate compliance with local and international food standards
- Reduce risk of recalls, rejections, and trade barriers
This multifaceted testing protects public health and reinforces brand credibility.
HQTS Cereals & Pulses Testing: Core Service Components
HQTS collaborates with accredited laboratories and expert analysts to deliver data-driven results across critical testing domains:
- Physical Analysis
Physical evaluation ensures raw materials and finished products meet desired quality parameters, such as:
- Size, shape, and uniformity of grains
- Density and bulk weight metrics
- Foreign matter and extraneous impurities
- Damaged, weevilled, or discolored grains
These checks are foundational for grading cereals and pulses and for process control in manufacturing and packaging.
- Chemical & Nutritional Testing
Chemical and nutritional profiling evaluates product composition, including:
- Moisture content – critical to shelf life and microbial stability
- Protein, fat, fiber, and ash levels for nutritional labelling
- Acid insoluble ash and alcoholic acidity to assess purity
- Gluten content where applicable
- Other compositional metrics relevant to regulatory and market requirements
These data inform both compliance documentation and product development strategies.
- Microbiological Safety Assessment
Dry conditions do not eliminate biological risk; cereals and pulses can still harbour pathogens if storage and handling are inadequate. HQTS testing includes:
- Total Plate Count, yeast and mould enumeration
- Pathogen detection including E. coli and Salmonella
- Mycotoxin screening (e.g., aflatoxins)
Mycotoxins, toxic metabolites from molds are a key concern in grains and pulses, affecting both safety and international acceptance.
- Contaminant & Residue Analysis
HQTS supports contaminant testing for:
- Pesticide residues against Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)
- Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury)
- Other chemical hazards and storage treatment residues
Identifying residues and contaminants early in the supply chain is essential for export readiness and consumer protection.
Regulatory Compliance & Standards Alignment
HQTS testing frameworks align with recognized domestic and international food safety norms, including standards set by regulatory bodies such as:
- FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)
- Codex Alimentarius
- Regional export standards for target markets
These standards define acceptable limits for moisture, contaminants, microbial counts, and nutritional claims, ensuring that products meet stringent food safety benchmarks
In an increasingly safety-focused food ecosystem, cereals and pulses quality testing is a strategic imperative not an afterthought. HQTS’s comprehensive testing services deliver precise physical, chemical, and microbiological assessment, enabling your products to meet regulatory standards, improve safety, and enhance market competitiveness.
Partner with HQTS to safeguard quality and build trust across your cereal and pulse product portfolio.
Ready to elevate the safety and quality of your cereals and pulses?
Contact HQTS today for a customized consultation and reliable food testing solutions.
