The Meridian Mandates
Full Testing Details.
The complete panel of MeridianMade product testing: what we test for, the method we use, and the threshold every batch must meet before it ships. No exceptions, no waivers.
Nutrient Content
Every batch is verified against the full infant-formula nutrient panel required by 21 CFR 107.10.
What we test for
Test type
Threshold
Protein content
Kjeldahl method (AOAC 991.22)
≥ 1.8 g per 100 kcal
Total fat
Röse-Gottlieb (AOAC 905.02)
3.25–6.0 g per 100 kcal
Linoleic acid
Gas chromatography (AOAC 996.06)
≥ 300 mg per 100 kcal
Vitamin D
HPLC-MS/MS (AOAC 2011.11)
40–100 IU per 100 kcal
Iron
ICP-OES (AOAC 2015.06)
0.15–3.0 mg per 100 kcal
Calcium
ICP-OES (AOAC 2015.06)
50–140 mg per 100 kcal
Microbiological Safety
Finished product is screened for pathogens and hygiene indicators using FDA-recognized methods.
What we test for
Test type
Threshold
Cronobacter sakazakii
Real-time PCR (ISO 22964)
Negative / Pass-Fail (100 g)
Salmonella
Cultural + PCR (ISO 6579)
Negative / Pass-Fail (100 g)
Listeria monocytogenes
Cultural + PCR (ISO 11290)
Negative / Pass-Fail (25 g)
Aerobic plate count
Plate count (AOAC 990.12)
< 10,000 CFU/g
Coliforms
Petrifilm (AOAC 991.14)
< 10 CFU/g
Bacillus cereus
Plate count (ISO 7932)
< 100 CFU/g
Clostridium botulinum (toxin genes)
ISO standardized PCR, run by IEH Laboratories
Negative / Pass-Fail; detects down to 0.01 CFU/g
Clostridium botulinum (caretaker gene)
IEH Laboratories PCR
Negative / Pass-Fail; detects down to 0.01 CFU/g
Sulfite-reducing clostridia (SRC)
Direct plating
Screen for Clostridia
Contaminants & Residues
Heavy metals, mycotoxins, and adulterants are quantified at parts-per-billion sensitivity.
What we test for
Test type
Threshold
Lead
ICP-MS (EPA 6020)
< 10 ppb
Total arsenic
ICP-MS (EPA 6020)
< 20 ppb
Cadmium
ICP-MS (EPA 6020)
< 10 ppb
Aflatoxin M1
HPLC-fluorescence (AOAC 2000.08)
< 0.5 ppb
Melamine
LC-MS/MS (FDA LIB 4421)
< 1.0 ppm
Physical & Chemical
Formulation properties that affect how safely formula mixes and feeds.
What we test for
Test type
Threshold
Osmolality
Freezing-point osmometer
250–400 mOsm/kg
pH
Potentiometric (AOAC 981.12)
6.4–7.4
Water activity
Chilled-mirror aw meter
< 0.25