LABRIS performs different analyses related to the composition and quality of food.
Food samples are analysed for the main components (moisture/dry matter, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, ash, fibre, etc.). Samples are also analysed for salt, lactose, gluten, nitrite/nitrate and micronutrients, fatty acid composition, sugars, etc. Certain parameters are product-specific (e.g. hydroxyproline in meat, histamine in fish).
For further information on the indicators to be set, please consult the customer service [email protected] and the price list of LABRIS.
Vitamins are organic compounds that the human body cannot produce on its own or produces in insufficient quantities. Vitamins are mostly produced by plants and microorganisms and are therefore mainly found in plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and cereals. They find their way into the animals with feed and are therefore found in meat, fish, eggs, milk, and products made from them.
The department of instrumental analysis of LABRIS detects the following:
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Water-soluble vitamins |
Fat-soluble vitamins |
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Vitamin B1 (thiamine) Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) Vitamin B3 (niacin) Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) Vitamin B6 Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) |
Vitamin A (retinol) Beta-carotene (provitamin A) Vitamin D (calciferol) Vitamin E (tocopherol) |
Additional information: customer service [email protected]
The department of instrumental analysis of LABRIS carries out analyses of various chemical elements (metals), including heavy metals (e.g. arsenic, mercury, cadmium, lead), micro- and macroelements (e.g. calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, sodium, iron, selenium, zinc, chromium), among others. More information available in the price list
Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods are used.
LABRIS performs the duties of a national reference laboratory for the detection of chemical elements (metals) in food and feed.
Additional information: customer service [email protected]
Within the framework of the annual control programmes coordinated by the Agriculture and Food Board, the department of instrumental analysis of LABRIS carries out analyses for residues of prohibited substances that may be present in food of animal origin.
The use of hormones as growth stimulants is banned in Estonia (as in all other EU countries), but they may be used for specific purposes to treat individual animals under the supervision of a veterinarian.
The laboratory determines a wide range of residues of banned substances, such as:
- stilbenes and derivatives thereof;
- thyrostatic agents;
- natural and synthetic steroid hormones;
- beta-agonists;
- chloramphenicol;
- nitrofurans;
- nitroimidazoles.
LABRIS acts as the national reference laboratory for the detection of residues of veterinary medicinal products in food of animal origin.
Additional information: customer service [email protected]
Within the framework of the annual control programme coordinated by the Agriculture and Food Board, the department of instrumental analysis of LABRIS carries out analyses for residues of pharmacological active ingredients that may be present in food of animal origin. The purpose of the analyses is to verify that the food does not contain residues of medicinal products exceeding the maximum permitted levels.
For example, the department of instrumental analysis of LABRIS analyses the residues of the following groups of compounds:
- antibiotics,
- anti-parasitic medicines;
- coccidiostats;
- tranquillisers;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- corticosteroids.
LABRIS acts as the national reference laboratory for the detection of residues of veterinary medicinal products in food of animal origin.
Additional information: customer service [email protected]
Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites generated by fungi that can find their way into food and feed at all stages of the food supply chain. Fungal and mycotoxin contamination depends on many factors, the most important of which are agricultural management practices and the climate. Some mycotoxins may be transferred from feed to food of animal origin (e.g. milk). For many mycotoxins, maximum levels are set by the EU legislation, while others are subject to indicative levels or values.
Summarised information about different mycotoxins can be found on the website of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture.
Mycotoxin analyses are carried out by the Tallinn department of LABRIS.
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Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 ja G2 |
in cereals, cereal products, animal feed, nuts, spices, dried vegetables, cocoa |
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Aflatoxin M1 |
in milk and milk products |
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Fumonisins FB1 ja FB2 |
in cereals, cereal products, and animal feed |
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Toxins T-2 ja HT-2 |
in cereals, cereal products, and animal feed |
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Deoxynivalenol or vomitoxin |
in cereals, cereal products, and animal feed |
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Zearalenone |
in cereals, cereal products, and animal feed |
For other mycotoxins, LABRIS collaborates with leading laboratories in neighbouring countries and in Europe.
LABRIS also acts as a national reference laboratory for the detection of mycotoxins in food and feed.
Additional information: [email protected]
A pesticide is a product consisting of at least one active ingredient and excipients and intended to protect plants or plant products from harmful organisms. The use of pesticides is regulated by EU legislation to ensure their safety for human and animal health and the environment. The use of plant protection products can result in very low levels of the active ingredient remaining in or on food, and maximum residue limits have been set for each active ingredient.
Analyses of pesticide residues are carried out by the Tallinn department of LABRIS.
- active ingredients undergoing multimethod analysis* (see the bottom of the page)
- active ingredients undergoing single-residue analysis:
- glyphosate, fosethyl-Al, glyphosinate-ammonium with metabolites, ethephon, phosphonic acid;
- chlormequat, mepiquat, and cyromazine;
- fenbutatin oxide;
- bromide ion;
- dithiocarbamates as a sum of CS2;
- dithianon, flonicamid, and its isomers TNFA and TNFG;
- maleic hydrazide;
- nicotine.
LABRIS also acts as a national reference laboratory for the detection of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables, including products with a high water content and high acidity, in cereals, and for single residue methods in materials of plant origin and feed.
For the detection of residues in food of animal origin, LABRIS collaborates with the Latvian ‘BIOR’ institute.
Additional information: [email protected]
* active ingredients undergoing multimethod analysis (appendices to the analysis protocol, in Estonian)
Last updated: 30.12.2025
