One of the main fields of activity of the laboratories that provide testing and inspection services is the determination of some minerals and heavy metals in food, feed, drinking water and water related products and their packaging materials. The main analyzed minerals are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, zinc, chromium, cobalt, nickel, selenium and manganese. The heavy metals analyzed are lead, arsenic, cadmium, tin and mercury.

Minerals are inorganic substances which are mixed or combined with other elements in nature and are in solid state at normal temperature or obtained by chemical methods. These inorganic substances, which are highly abundant in nature, constitute about 4 of the human body. Minerals have an extremely effective role in the formation of blood and bones in the body, in maintaining healthy nerve function, strengthening the muscles and formation of body fluids.

Minerals also activate enzymes, stimulate chemical reactions in the body and promote the healthy functioning of the brain. Minerals are inorganic substances, unlike vitamins.

Mineral salts in nature occur in a process that lasts millions of years with the erosion of rocks, becoming into dust and sand, into the soil and from there to plants. The animals that feed on these plants and the plants grown in these lands enter the human body.

In order for the body to maintain its chemical balance under normal conditions, some minerals need to be balanced. Minerals are effective on each other. This balance should not be disturbed. Vitamins cannot perform the expected task when the minerals are deficient. Therefore, mineral deficiency is more harmful than vitamin deficiency. However, taking minerals more than a certain amount also causes health problems. Therefore, mineral analyzes in foodstuffs are important.

Our organization, UAF From the Accreditation Agency, Based on the accreditation authority obtained in accordance with TS EN ISO / IEC 17025 standard, it performs mineral analyzes within the scope of food analysis in line with the needs of enterprises.