PR 35055
7 July 2014

Water activity analyser enhances quality assurance processes at British Pepper & Spice

Labcell has supplied an AquaLab Series 4TE water activity analyser to British Pepper & Spice to enhance the company's quality assurance regime for pastes and sauces. Compared with the instrument used previously, the AquaLab is faster, more accurate and considerably easier to clean and maintain.

British Pepper & Spice manufactures high-quality products, many of which are branded for well-known retailers in the UK and overseas. End-of-line water activity measurements are used as part of a HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control points) process to ensure the products' safety and stability.

Aside from the improved speed, tests take just 3-5 minutes, and accuracy, the AquaLab reads to four decimal places, it is also easier to clean. This is very important, as Kate Harding, the Technical Manager at British Pepper & Spice, explains: "However careful you are, when working with sticky products such as redcurrant jelly it is inevitable that parts of the analyser require cleaning. With the AquaLab we can dismantle and clean it ourselves very simply. Moreover, Labcell offers a loan unit so, if we ever need to send the AquaLab away, we know we will not be without a water activity analyser for more than 24 hours."

Kate Harding is delighted with the overall service she has received from Labcell, commenting: "They have been fantastic to deal with, visiting us when we first enquired about the AquaLab, then again to deliver the analyser, install it and train the operators."

A notable feature of the AquaLab Series 4TE is temperature equilibration, meaning that users can set the sample temperature to anything from 15 to 50°C; the analyser then maintains that temperature throughout the test to maintain the measurement accuracy and ensure consistency between tests. The combination of speed, accuracy, and ease of use and cleaning means that British Pepper & Spice is now planning to use the AquaLab for new product development as well as end-of-line quality assurance.

Labcell is the sole UK distributor for the Decagon Devices AquaLab range of water activity instruments and has extensive experience supplying to companies in the food processing industry. Data sheets can be downloaded directly from Labcell's website atwww.labcell.com, or contact the company to discuss specific applications or request a demonstration by telephone on +44 (0)1420 568150 or emailmail@labcell.com.

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With compliments:

Taylor Alden Ltd

Unit 2, Temple Place

247 The Broadway

London

SW19 1SD

Tel:020 8543 3866

philippa@tayloralden.co.uk

www.tayloralden.com