Outsourced testing that works for you
We're here to share our insights to help you make informed decisions and stay in control.
Download our free outsourcing bundle packed with knowledge and tools for successful outsourcing.
Your samples. Your partner. Your choice.
Developing a strong partnership with your contract laboratory is critical if your company has chosen to outsource some or all of your quality and food safety testing.
The lab you hire must be trusted to serve as a strategic partner.
When choosing a food testing lab to partner with, there are a lot of selection criteria to consider.
Supporting you through your outsourcing journey
Whether you are just preparing to outsource your food safety and quality testing to a contract laboratory, have an established partner in place or are considering bringing testing in-house, we are here to help you get the most from your outsourced testing.
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Selecting your testing partnerChoosing the right testing partner is an important decision with various considerations. From our experience of working with contract laboratories and food processors who outsource testing, our team of experts have developed and compiled information to help you make your choice.
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Accurate validated methodsWhen your testing is in the hands of another company you need to be confident in the results they deliver. With a host of international validations, our optimised lab solutions have fewer variables and less opportunity for things to go wrong. That means accurate, repeatable results, time after time. And peace of mind for you. -
Methods to support sustainabilitySustainability is an increasingly important goal for companies all over the world and this responsibility may extend to your outsourced testing. 3M has solutions that can help companies meet sustainability targets whilst supporting their business goals.
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Sample quality without compromiseYour test results are only as good as the sample collected. Our high-quality sample collection products are designed for reliability and convenience so you can be confident your testing is off to the right start.
Tools for successful outsourcing
- Three articles on key considerations for outsourcing
- Worksheet to help identify the outsourcing partner for you
- Guide to reduce the risk of compromised samples
Thank You
Download outsourcing tools now.
Food safety testing: When to consider outsourcing (PDF, 176 KB)
Choosing a food safety contract lab? What to look for when outsourcing (PDF, 141KB)
Method selection: Insist on the one that performs best on your matrices. (PDF, 149 KB)
Make an informed choice. Checklist to identify the right outsourcing partner & make an informed choice (PDF, 104 KB)
Integrity is everything. Step by step sampling guide to reduce the risk of compomised samples. (PDF, 266 KB)
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Key considerations for outsourcing
When outsourcing to a contract lab, specify your preferred testing methods. No one knows your company’s metrics better than you do, so your preferences matter to the contract lab representative. It is recommended to request a method that best fits the metrics your company collects, delivering results you know you can trust.
1. When to consider outsourcing?
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Testing VolumeWhen there is a consistent low need to conduct a certain kind/method of testing. -
Time RestraintsIn cases where outsourcing is faster than in-house testing. -
Employment ChallengesWhen trained, qualified in-house laboratory technicians do not meet current demands. -
Capital CostsIn cases where outsourcing is cheaper than maintaining an in-house laboratory.
2. What to look for when outsourcing?
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LocationMinimise processing time and costs by using food safety contract labs located close to your plant.
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MethodsImprove the reliability of results by ensuring your contract lab will use methods that best fit the metrics you want to collect. -
AccreditationGuarantee the operating standards of your lab by ensuring your contract lab operates within global ISO accreditation standards. -
Additional ServicesGet the most from your contract lab by taking advantage of any additional services they may offer their customers beyond microbiology and chemical testing.
3. Getting appropriate results when outsourcing
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MethodGet reliable results and ensure consistency by asking your contract lab to use methods that best fit the metrics you want to collect and help reduce manual steps. -
TimeIncrease the speed of your contract lab by encouraging them to use rapid testing systems. -
Sensitivity and SpecificityGet accurate, reliable results that uphold the values of your company by ensuring your contract lab uses testing methods with minimal risk of errors and variability, especially with manual preparation processes, like media preparation. -
ValidationGuarantee the trustworthiness of your outsourced tests by insisting on the methods you know and trust, even if it is not currently used by your contract lab.
Total Solutions made for today’s food science
Integrated Food Safety for Contract Labs
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3M™ Petrifilm™ PlatesThe global food safety landscape is continuously changing. Are you keeping up?
Take a look at quality indicator testing with 3M™ Petrifilm™ Plates — a proven method for consistent, reliable results you need for the testing your lab does every day.
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3M™ Molecular Detection SystemBe confident in your pathogen testing process and save time and labour costs with ready-to-use reagents, a single post-enrichment protocol for all pathogens and same- or next-day results for most matrices.
Ask your food testing lab about these 3M™ Molecular Detection System pathogen detection assays.
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3M™ Sample Collection, Preparation & ProcessingBetter testing begins with better samples — and better samples are obtained when you use quality collection tools.
3M™ Sample Collection provides quality products designed specifically for microbial surface sampling.
Discover our Sample Collection, Preparation & Processing products
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Allergen Testing3M™ Allergen Testing Products were designed with your needs in mind by a team of experts who use these tests every day.
Based on experience with immunoassay technology and tests of thousands of unique food samples, they set out to design tests to detect both processed and unprocessed proteins with a simplified workflow.
Validations and Recognitions
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3M solutions and products have been internationally recognised and validated for their methods. Third-party validations confirm that the method has been scrutinised to prove that it is reliable, repeatable and has performed equal to or better than the reference method to which it was compared. Learn more about the importance of laboratory recognition and third party validated methods (PDF, 1 MB).
View validations: 3M Petrifilm validations (PDF, 268 KB) | 3M Molecular Detection System validations (PDF, 341 KB)
Ready for outsourcing with confidence?
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Talk to a 3M food safety expert and find out how our range of lab solutions can work with your outsourced testing requirements.
The information you provide on this form will be used to respond to your request through email or telephone by a 3M representative or by one of our authorised business partners with whom we might share your personal information consistent with the 3M privacy policy.
This form is intended for professional users of our products.
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3M offers a broad range of products - from separation, filtration & purification products to personal protective equipment, surface & floor cleaning products to durable label and packaging solutions - that support food and beverage manufacturers. Take a look at how 3M can support you.
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Learn more about the science of food safety. Free webinars and resources that help you deepen your expertise and improve food safety and quality in your business – anytime, from anywhere.
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3M Food Safety products are available direct from 3M or from our authorised channel partners. Visit our 'Purchasing information' page to contact a 3M representative, visit our online product catalogue or to find a local channel partner.
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We are here to help! Get in touch with our food safety support team for advice about our solutions and how to use them.
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