AquaLab series 3TEB enables product development team to carry out measurements of water activity in-house at the concept stage, as well as on samples subjected to abuse testing during factory trials
English Provender specialises in manufacturing premium-quality condiments, sauces, dressings, marinades and similar products for the retail, foodservice and food manufacturing markets in the UK and beyond.
Preservatives are only used where absolutely necessary, so the company has to take particular care to ensure that its products remain stable and will not spoil prior to use.
One of the ways this is done is by using a computer model to predict stability.
However, this requires a value for the product's water activity (or ERH), and English Provender was finding that it was expensive and time-consuming to have this measured by an external laboratory.
Having purchased an AquaLab series 3TEB from Labcell, the company's product development team can carry out measurements of water activity in-house at the concept stage of the product development process, as well as on samples subjected to 'abuse' testing during factory trials.
In addition, the quality assurance team can use the instrument to ensure that the same criteria are being met once the products are being manufactured.
By measuring the water activity of new product concepts and using this data in a stability prediction model, the food scientists can gain a level of confidence that products will be safe and stable before they commit to factory trials.
This avoids running unnecessary trials that would be costly and time-consuming.
Once the product development process reaches the point where factory trials are being run, 'abuse' tests are performed at elevated temperatures, with samples incubated for four weeks to check that the products are stable (if the products pass this test, then English Provender can be confident that they will not spoil during storage in non-ideal conditions).
Carl Steckerl, head of technical at English Provender, comments: "We looked at several alternative water activity meters before selecting the AquaLab, and we are very pleased with it.
"It is easy and quick to use, it gives consistent results, the response time is good and it is straightforward to clean.
"Initially we had some queries, but Labcell arranged for some validation trials to be carried out in the USA".
New product development was the primary reason for purchasing the water activity meter, but the AquaLab is also playing an important role in quality assurance.
Eleven members of the quality assurance team use the instrument on a regular basis to measure the water activity of samples taken from production batches.
This is particularly important for the company's cold fill emulsified products, such as tartare, horseradish and seafood sauces.
Carl Steckerl is highly complimentary about the service he has received from Labcell: "They were very helpful when we made the initial enquiry and then, after we decided to purchase the AquaLab, they delivered it, set it up, briefed us and carried out some training - though only minimal training is needed, as it is very simple to use".
In conclusion, he says: "After three months, the AquaLab is proving to be just what we needed.
"It is robust and reliable, and the only attention it requires is the weekly calibration, which is quick and easy."
