Spice Testing Laboratory in India

Auriga Research tests spices against FSSAI standards using FSSAI, IS and in-house methods. Each spice package covers general quality parameters, heavy metals, aflatoxins, pesticide residues and permitted additives, so one sample gives the full compliance picture.

• General parameters: moisture, total ash, ash insoluble in dilute HCl, extraneous matter, insect fragments, visible mould, rodent contamination and added colouring matter, with spice-specific tests on top.
• Heavy metals: lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, copper and tin.
• Aflatoxins: total aflatoxins and B1, B2, G1 and G2.
• Pesticide residues: the organochlorine, organophosphate and carbamate panel, extended for chilli.
• Additives: BHT, BHA, TBHQ, ascorbyl esters, sorbates, neotame and acesulfame potassium.

Spice packages are listed in our online store at Rs 19,000 per sample (whole chilli at Rs 17,000), with a 7 to 8 working day turnaround and a minimum of 500 g in 5 units. Bulk sample discounts are available.

Our Arbro Analytical Division lab in Delhi is approved by the Spices Board and runs the tests needed for spice export. Spices are among the commodities most often stopped at EU and Japanese borders, so export testing is read against the destination limits, not only the Indian ones. A single certificate of analysis can carry more than one framework.

• Aflatoxin: total aflatoxins are limited to 30 ppb in spices in India and 4 ppb for products meant for direct consumption in the EU.
• Pesticide residues: EU MRL screening and the Japan Positive List, with limits of quantification of 0.01 ppm or lower for spice exporters, by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS.
• Ethylene oxide: EtO and 2-chloroethanol, treated as a pesticide in the EU.

For what EU, US, Japan and Gulf shipments need, see the export compliance page, and for the residue panel see pesticide residue testing and aflatoxin testing.

The general parameters change with the spice, so each product has its own panel:

• Turmeric: colouring power, starch, foreign starch, lead chromate and ash insoluble in dilute HCl. Lead chromate is a known adulterant in turmeric and is confirmed by AAS or ICP-MS.
• Chilli and capsicum: crude fibre, non-volatile ether extract, total ash, edible vegetable oil, mineral oil and added colour. Sudan dyes (I to IV) are checked by HPLC-DAD.
• Mixed masala: moisture, acid insoluble ash and volatile oil. Panels are listed for masala blends with 25%, 40% and 85% spice content.

Adulterant checks for spices also cover metanil yellow, chalk powder, brick dust, iron filings and seed adulteration. The spice dye panel by HPLC takes 5 to 7 business days, with express available. Details are on the adulteration testing page.

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is treated as a pesticide residue in the EU, with MRLs of 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg for spices and sesame. It is a recurring driver of EU rejections of Indian spice consignments, which is why many spice exporters test every lot before shipping.

Auriga Research tests EtO and its metabolite 2-chloroethanol (2-CE) by GC-MS/MS. For exporters, EtO and 2-CE are tested alongside the standard EU MRL pesticide panel, so one report can cover both. Exporters usually book EtO together with the EU pesticide panel and the aflatoxin test, so the three results can sit on one certificate of analysis.

Turnaround for ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol is 7 to 10 business days, with express available. The full scope is described under EtO testing in food and spices.

Saffron is tested for the markers that separate genuine stigma from coloured or bulked material. The saffron panel includes safranal, colouring strength, bitterness, cold water soluble extract, total nitrogen, total ash, acid insoluble ash, crude fibre and added colouring matter, with moisture and volatile matter. Colour tests alone cannot prove authenticity, so colouring strength is read together with safranal, bitterness and the ash values.

The same package covers extraneous matter, insect fragments, visible mould, mustiness and foreign odour, then the standard heavy metal, aflatoxin and pesticide panels. Saffron whole and saffron powder are listed separately at Rs 19,000 per sample, with a 7 to 8 working day turnaround and a minimum sample of 500 g in 5 units.

Browse the listings in our spices and condiments testing store.