Raw Material Identity
Raw material identity is verified using Near Infrared
(NIP) Spectroscopy. This equipment uses a material's absorbance
characteristics in the NIR visibility spectrum to construct an
absorbance graph typical of that particular material.
Heavy Metal Analysis
Heavy
metal analyses of raw materials and finished products are performed by
state-of-the-art ICP-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) equipment that offers
microanalysis of heavy metal contamination. Results can be obtained in
parts per billion on all materials and even parts per trillion under
certain conditions.
This type of equipment is the only accepted
and required type of laboratory equipment for complying with
California's Proposition 65 heavy metal specifications. Sample
preparation for the ICP-MS is performed using advanced technology
microwave digestion.
Allergy Testing
The allergy testing of Kirkman's products is done by way of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methodology, which is sensitive down to specific parts per million depending on the allergen. Casein, gluten, soy and peanut allergens are continually monitored in all of Kirkman's products.
Pesticide Testing
Kirkman® monitors all raw materials for hundreds of potentially harmful pesticides. We know of no other supplement company that tests to this degree. Many supplement companies monitor plant and herbal type products for pesticides because they are the most likely products to be contaminated with pesticides, but nutritional supplement raw materials come from manufacturing facilities all over the world, and pesticide contamination could easily occur with any type of material.
Pesticide residues fall into two categories, non-volatile and volatile. To monitor all types of potential pesticide
contamination, therefore, requires two distinct types of laboratory
equipment. The non-volatile pesticides are detected and measured with
liquid chromatography (LC). Non-volatile pesticides are tested on
state-of-the-art LC triple quadrupole spectrometer (LC-MS) equipment,
By using the new triple quadrupole technology, a tenfold increase in
sensitivity is realized compared to older single quad technology. LC-MS
is also used to test for non-volatile chemicals, vitamins and other
compounds for dietary and food supplements.
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The assay measurements of volatile pesticides and other volatile
chemicals and contaminants require different technology. Kirkman® uses
state-of-the-art custom gas chromatograph (GC) equipment for this
purpose, equipped with a pesticide GC-MS analyzer. This is the most
advanced technology available for the analysis of volatile pesticide
compounds.
Label Claim Verifications and Stability Testing
Label claim verifications and ongoing stabilty studies of Kirkman's products are performed using Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Food Chemical Codex or equivalent Association of Analytical Chemists (AAC) methodology. In the case of contaminants regulated separately by the State of California under Proposition 65, Kirkman® follows California's recommended testing procedures, which usually are even more stringent than the FDA's or USP's.
Microbiological Testing (Bacteria, Yeast, Mold)
Kirkman® also monitors raw materials and finsihed products for the presence of microbiological contamination, yeast and mold growth. Stringent limits are in place to monitor aerobic bacterial plate counts, yeast and mold counts, and the continuous absence of pathogenic bacteria including E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria. Tesing methods ultilied for this microbiological testing are derived from the FEDA's Bacteriological Analytical Manual, the USP or the AOAC.
Kirkman's Quality Assurance
Kirkman has a Quality Assurance department that is entirely devoted to ensuring that the laboratories we use are well qualified; use the most current and best testing proceedures; and test with the most up-to-date equipment for effective, accurate results.
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