Protocol Raw — Lab Validation Panel
Document ID: SPEC-LAB-v1.1
Last Updated: February 2026
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
1. Testing Strategy Overview
| Test Type |
When |
Purpose |
| Lock-In Validation |
Pilot batch (once) |
Confirm FEDIAF compliance |
| Ongoing Pathogen |
Every batch |
Hold-and-release safety |
| Periodic Audit |
Quarterly |
Monitor nutrient consistency |
2. Lock-In Validation Panel (One-Time)
2.1 Proximate Analysis
| Parameter |
Expected Range |
| Moisture |
60-68% |
| Crude Protein |
35-45% DM |
| Crude Fat |
32-45% DM |
| Ash |
4-8% |
| Crude Fibre |
1.5-4.0% (method-dependent; expected to rise with fibre system) |
Energy: Record finished product ME (kcal/kg) used for all per-1000-kcal calculations. Target: 1900 kcal/kg (± agreed tolerance). ME may be calculated by modified Atwater from proximate results if not directly measured.
2.2 Mineral Panel
| Parameter |
FEDIAF Min (per 1000 kcal) |
Target |
| Calcium |
1.0 g |
2.0-3.0 g |
| Phosphorus |
0.9 g |
1.5-2.5 g |
| Ca:P Ratio |
1.0-2.0 : 1 |
1.2-1.4 : 1 |
| Zinc |
18.3 mg |
40-60 mg |
| Manganese |
1.13 mg |
1.5-3.0 mg |
| Copper |
2.18 mg |
3-6 mg |
| Selenium |
8.75 µg |
40-80 µg |
| Iodine |
350 µg |
400-700 µg |
2.3 Fatty Acid Panel
| Parameter |
FEDIAF Min (per 1000 kcal) |
Target |
| Linoleic Acid |
3.25 g |
4-6 g |
| EPA + DHA |
0.13 g |
0.3-0.6 g |
2.4 Vitamin Panel
| Parameter |
FEDIAF Min (per 1000 kcal) |
Target |
| Vitamin D |
138 IU |
150-300 IU |
| Vitamin E |
7.5 IU |
≥10 IU preferred (monitor; may vary if no added antioxidants) |
| Vitamin A |
1250 IU |
3000-5000 IU |
| Thiamine |
0.44 mg |
0.5-1.0 mg |
2.5 Estimated Cost: £350-500 at UKAS lab
3. Ongoing Pathogen Panel (Every Batch)
3.1 Required Tests
| Test |
Acceptance Criteria |
| Salmonella |
NOT DETECTED in 25g |
| Listeria monocytogenes |
NOT DETECTED in 25g |
| Enterobacteriaceae |
<100 cfu/g |
| Aerobic Colony Count (TVC/APC) |
Trend (set internal limit with lab baseline) |
3.2 Hold-and-Release Timeline
| Step |
Timeline |
| Production complete → QUARANTINE |
Day 0 |
| Samples to lab |
Day 0-1 |
| Results received |
Day 3-5 |
| ALL PASS → RELEASE |
Day 3-5 |
| ANY FAIL → INVESTIGATE |
Day 3-5 |
3.3 Cost per Batch: £95-175 (standard) / £165-275 (rapid)
3.4 Failed Test Protocol
- Batch remains in QUARANTINE
- Alert founder/QA immediately
- Investigate production records
- Confirmed positive → dispose per HACCP disposition (typically destroy or divert per approved corrective action plan; do not release for sale)
- Document corrective actions
4. Periodic Audit Panel (Quarterly)
4.1 Subset Tests
| Parameter |
Rationale |
| Iodine |
Kelp potency varies |
| Vitamin D |
CLO potency critical |
| Calcium |
Bone content variation |
| Phosphorus |
Paired with calcium |
| Zinc |
Oyster powder monitoring |
4.2 Trigger for Full Re-Validation
- Any nutrient <90% of FEDIAF minimum (investigate + corrective action)
- Any nutrient <80% of FEDIAF minimum (full re-validation / reformulate)
- Any nutrient exceeds FEDIAF maximum (immediate corrective action)
-
20% drift from lock-in values for critical anchors (Ca, P, I, D, Zn)
5. Recommended Labs (Examples — UK UKAS-Accredited)
| Lab |
Best For |
| i2 FAST |
Ongoing pathogen (rapid 24-48hr) |
| Eurofins |
Full nutritional panels |
| ALS |
Nutritional panels |
Strategy:
- Lock-in: Eurofins or ALS (or equivalent UKAS-accredited lab)
- Ongoing pathogen: i2 FAST (or equivalent rapid-turnaround lab)
- Periodic audit: Same as lock-in lab
6. Results Interpretation
FEDIAF Compliance Check
Nutrient per 1000 kcal = (Nutrient per kg) ÷ (ME kcal/kg ÷ 1000)
Record ME (kcal/kg) used for conversion on every results sheet. Target ME: 1900 kcal/kg.
Pass/Fail Criteria
| Result |
Action |
| All within FEDIAF |
✓ PASS |
| 80-100% of minimum |
⚠ï¸ Adjust anchor, retest |
| <80% of minimum |
✗ Reformulate |
| >Maximum |
✗ Reduce ingredient |
Document Control
| Field |
Value |
| Document Owner |
Anton (Founder) |
| Version |
1.1 |
| Effective Date |
February 2026 |
| Classification |
CONFIDENTIAL |
Revision History
| Version |
Date |
Changes |
| 1.0 |
Jan 2026 |
Initial lab validation panel |
| 1.1 |
Feb 2026 |
Updated proximate ranges for GI-stable fibre system (crude fibre 1.5–4.0%, moisture broadened to 60–68%, protein/fat ranges widened). Added explicit ME (kcal/kg) recording requirement (target 1900 kcal/kg). Vitamin E target adjusted for no-added-antioxidant formulation. Added Aerobic Colony Count (TVC/APC) as trending metric to pathogen panel. Failed test protocol updated for HACCP disposition flexibility (destroy or divert per corrective action plan). Audit trigger logic corrected: removed "90% of max" false-positive trigger, replaced with tiered minimum thresholds (90%/80%), exceeds-max hard stop, and 20% drift rule for critical anchors. Recommended labs section softened to "Examples." |