RL Food Testing Laboratory

09/22/2026

Pet food labeling is undergoing a shift under AAFCO's Pet Food Modernization efforts.

RL Labs' AAFCO Pet Food Modernization Compliance Package tests for the full panel manufacturers need: crude protein, fat, fiber, and moisture, along with ash, total dietary fiber, metabolizable energy (kcal/kg), calcium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, and calculated carbohydrates.

Find out more: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/pet-food-testing

09/14/2026

Real-time shelf-life testing tracks how a product actually holds up over time. Taste, texture, safety, and nutrition under normal storage conditions. That's what makes the date on the package one you can stand behind.

Visit our website for information about our Shelf-Life Testing services: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/shelf-life-testing

09/08/2026

Removing synthetic preservatives changes the game for clean label products.

Manufacturers reformulating with natural alternatives like rosemary extract, cultured vinegar, and fermentation-derived ingredients often see new challenges: faster oxidation, microbial risk, texture shifts, and batch variability.

That's why shelf-life testing (microbiological testing, challenge studies, and sensory evaluation) is essential to confirm a reformulated product stays safe and stable through its full shelf life.

Read more: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/shelf-life-testing-for-clean-label-products-why-natural-preservatives-change-everything

Learn how natural preservatives affect shelf life, product stability, packaging needs, and testing strategies for clean-label foods.

09/01/2026

RL Labs' pet food testing covers everything needed for a compliant label:
✅ Crude protein, fat, fiber & moisture
✅ Kcal ME (metabolizable energy)
✅ Guaranteed Analysis
✅ AAFCO-compliant labeling

Every value is lab-derived, giving manufacturers a Guaranteed Analysis and Pet Nutrition Facts label built on verified data from the start.

08/31/2026

California has passed a wave of food safety laws that food manufacturers, even those outside California, should be tracking closely.

Key updates:
🔹 AB 418 bans BVO, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red Dye No. 3 starting Jan 1, 2027
🔹 AB 2316 removes six synthetic dyes from California school foods by Dec 31, 2027
🔹 AB 1264 phases out "ultra-processed foods of concern" in schools between 2028–2032
🔹 AB 660 standardizes date labeling ("BEST if Used by" vs. "USE by") for food manufactured after July 1, 2026
🔹 AB 2034 (pending) would create a state-level additive review system

Because California's market is too large to ignore, many companies apply these standards nationally rather than maintaining separate formulations. That means ingredient review, reformulation, and label updates may be on the horizon well before your product ever touches California shelves.

Read the full breakdown of deadlines and compliance impacts: https://www.rlfoodtestinglaboratory.com/california-food-safety-laws-recent-changes-and-impact

Review California food safety laws covering additives, school foods, date labels, reformulation, testing, and key compliance deadlines.

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