Important Update: New Laboratory Services from 30th June 2025
[OFFICIAL]
Dear Agents,
We wish to formally advise all stakeholders that from Monday 30th June 2025, our Official Laboratory services will transition to a new service provider. This change includes the introduction of a dedicated courier service to support sample collection and transportation.
Please note: This laboratory provision relates to chemical and contaminants testing. Microbiological sample analysis is excluded from this contract and will continue to be provided under existing arrangements.
While we are working closely with the new provider to ensure a smooth and efficient transition, we kindly ask for your understanding during this period. As with any significant service change, there may be some initial minor disruptions as systems and processes bed in. Our teams will continue to monitor operations closely and address any issues that may arise promptly.
Anticipated Laboratory Results Timeframes
The table below outlines the expected turnaround times for laboratory results under the new service. These timeframes are calculated from the point at which samples are received by the laboratory. While every effort is made to meet these targets, it should be noted that turnaround times are indicative and may occasionally be affected by factors outside of our control.
| Product Category | Analysis | Estimated Result Reported |
| Fresh Fruit and Vegetables | Pesticides (Regulation 2019/1793) | Within 24 hours |
| Frozen Fruit and Vegetables | Pesticides (Regulation 2019/1793) | Within 48 hours |
| Shelf-stable Products (e.g. Tea; Vine Leaves in Brine) | Pesticides (Regulation 2019/1793) | 5 working days or sooner |
| Sesame Seeds, Frozen Vegetables, Dried Spices | Ethylene Oxide (Regulation 2019/1793) | 5 working days or sooner |
| Farmed Fish | Pesticides | 5 working days or sooner |
| Nuts and Products | Mycotoxins (Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin) | 5 working days or sooner |
| Spices and Products | Mycotoxins (Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin) | 5 working days or sooner |
| Chinese Rice and Rice Products (China) | GMO | 7 working days or sooner |
| Guar Gum | PCP |
5 working days or sooner |
| All Foods (including Sweets, Soft Drinks, Snacks) | Additives (e.g. Colours, Preservatives, Sweeteners) |
5 working days or sooner |
| Confectionery | Safety Assessment (Konjac) |
5 working days or sooner |
| Animal Products incl. Fishery Products | Heavy Metals |
5 working days or sooner |
| Fish and Fishery Products | Histamine |
5 working days or sooner |
| Meat, Fish, Basmati Rice |
Authenticity (DNA Speciation) |
5 working days or sooner |
| Honey | Authenticity |
5 working days or sooner |
| All Foods | Allergens (undeclared) |
5 working days or sooner |
| Smoked Foods (e.g. Smoked Fish) | PAHs |
5 working days or sooner |
| Fish and Fishery Products | Polyphosphates |
5 working days or sooner |
| Herbs and Spices, Fish and Fishery Products, Frogs’ Legs | Irradiation |
5 working days or sooner |
| Melamine Kitchenware | Formaldehyde Migration |
5 working days or sooner |
| Nylon Kitchen Items | Primary Aromatic Amines Migration |
5 working days or sooner |
| Fish and Fishery Products, Meat | Dioxins and Dioxin-like PCBs |
5 working days or sooner |
| Apricot Kernels | Hydrocyanic Acid |
5 working days or sooner |
| Dried Fruits | Sulphites |
5 working days or sooner |
| Noodles | Aluminium |
5 working days or sooner |
| Palm Oil | Illegal Dyes (Sudan Dyes) |
5 working days or sooner |
| Preserved/Pickled Turnips | Rhodamine B |
5 working days or sooner |
| Mushrooms; Berries | Caesium-137 (Chernobyl) |
Within 48 hours |
We remain committed to maintaining high standards of service and will continue to provide updates as the transition progresses. Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact us via port.health@scpha.gov.uk.
We thank all stakeholders for their cooperation and understanding during this period of change.
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