Frequently Asked Questions

Bacteria are not visible to the naked eye and exist in and on the human body, in soil and in air. Some bacteria produce toxins which are not destroyed by cooking – a food does not have to look, smell or taste ‘off’ to be potentially hazardous to health.

I need a definition of a term on your site.
How do I submit a sample?
Can you take a sample for me?
How long do you keep samples before discarding them?
What are your shipping requirements?
What kind of turnaround times can I expect?
Do you do rush jobs?
How will I receive my report(s)?
What are your testing methods?
What are your testing charges?
Do you give quantity discounts?
What do you do to ensure quality control?
Where can I find out more information on the science of food?

Sampling (by you)

Select samples that are representative of your product(s) both in the
nature of the product and in the packaging. A minimum suggested
sample size for most testing is 16 ounces (500 grams). Where
applicable adhere to FDA and USDA sampling guidelines. Provide
Strasburger & Siegel with a Sample Submittal document (written
instructions in Acrobat's PDF or Microsoft Word) and clearly label all
of your samples with exactly what you want to see on the final report.

Sampling (by us)

We have trained samplers who can handle your sampling needs, according to FDA procedures in many ports, including: Baltimore / Washington, Norfolk, New York / New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, New Orleans, Houston, Ft. Lauderdale / Miami, Los Angeles, and many more! Read more ...

Sample Retention

Samples that require refrigeration will be discarded after the testing. Samples that are shelf stable or frozen will be discarded 30 days after the report is issued.

Shipping Requirements

Sampling Shipping Requirments
Type of Sample	Shipping Container	Shipping Method
Frozen	Insulated Box with Dry Ice	Next Day
Refrigerated	Insulated Box with Ice or “Blue Ice” Packs	Next Day
Shelf Stable	Cardboard Box	2nd Day or Ground **

** Note: In some areas Ground Shipping Service is Guaranteed one or two day delivery to Hanover MD 21076. Check with your Carrier Service.

Turnaround Times

Microbiology are started no later than 24 hours after receipt, and most are completed in 2 to 3 days. Some tests do take up to 7 days to complete. Analytical Chemistry projects are normally completed within 7 to 10 days. Filth & Extraneous projects are normally completed within 3 to 5 days. Call to make sure of your turnaround time.

Rush Testing

Rush analyses may be available on a limited basis for chemical and physical tests, but not for microbiology. If you need rush analyses, please call in advance for details and fees and specify rush on your work order. Discounts do not apply on rush analyses.

Reporting Procedures

All information is presented in good faith. As a mutual protection to clients, the public and ourselves, all reports are submitted as the confidential property of clients and authorization for publication of statements, conclusions or extracts or regarding our reports is reserved pending our written approval.

Reports will be Faxed or emailed upon completion to the contracting client and a copy of the report will be sent by US mail, within 48 hours after completion of all testing. Two additional reports may be requested at no additional charge. A $10 fee will be charged for additional reports. Reports may be sent to other locations at the clients request.

We repeat analyses at the clients request and invoice for the repeat analyses if they confirm the initial results.

Testing Methods

Unless otherwise notified, all analyses are performed as per AOAC, AACC, AOCS, APHA/AWWA, FDA/BAM, FDA/PAM, FDA/FAAM, ASTA, FCC, USP/NF USDA Analytical Chemistry Handbook, USDA Microbiology Handbook, or other such testing procedures as deemed applicable for our clients needs.

Testing Charges

Payment is generally Net 30 days with approved credit. For new clients, we request 100% down before samples can be processed. Delinquent accounts will be charged a 1.5 % per month service charge until paid.

Discounts

Volume discounts may be available when large numbers of samples are submitted for the same test at the same time. Your Account Manager will be happy to assist you with more information about discounts.

Quality Control

Strasburger & Siegel, Inc. meets or exceeds the Quality Control Standards as set forth by: USDA-FSIS (meats, poultry); FDA (filth, pesticide residues, microbiological analyses); AOAC International, and NELAP (drinking water program).

Strasburger & Siegel participates in check sample programs with AOAC International, NELAP, USDA, American Proficiency Institute (API), Environmental Resource Association (ERA), American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) and others to ensure technician proficiency.

Links

For your convenience we have provided a number of other links to additional resources. Please refer to out Links page.