Fresh Produce Product Testing Programme

Helping you deliver fresher, safer, and more market-ready produce; all year round.

WHY TESTING MATTERS FOR GROWERS TODAY

Fresh produce growers across the UK and Europe are under more pressure than ever. Retailers demand consistent quality, consumers expect freshness, and regulators enforce strict compliance. At the same time, costs are rising, margins are shrinking, and competition is intense.

In this environment, testing isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Without it, growers face unnecessary risk, weaker retailer relationships, and missed opportunities to maximise sales. With it, you gain confidence, proof, and a stronger position in the market.

That’s why we created the Fresh Produce Product Testing Programme; a comprehensive, data-led solution designed to reduce risk, strengthen your reputation, and increase sales every season.

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THE CHALLENGES GROWERS FACE

From our conversations with growers and producers, the same frustrations appear again and again:

  • Risk of rejection or recall – pathogens, residues, or contaminants slipping through.

  • Inconsistent quality – size, taste, or appearance that fails to meet retailer or consumer expectations.

  • Shelf-life issues – produce deteriorating too quickly, increasing waste and damaging trust.

  • Retailer demands – needing independent proof to secure or protect listings.

  • Sales pressures – finding it hard to grow margins without evidence to back premium positioning.

Testing doesn’t replace the skill of growing. It supports it; giving you the clarity and confidence to show buyers and consumers that your produce is safe, consistent, and market-ready.

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WHAT THE FRESH PRODUCE PRODUCT TESTING PROGRAMME DELIVERS

Our programme goes beyond basic compliance testing. It’s designed to provide outcomes that strengthen your whole business:

1. Reduced risk

Identify and eliminate potential problems before they reach shelves. From safety testing to shelf-life validation, we help you prevent losses, rejections, and recalls.

2. Enhanced reputation

Prove the consistency of your produce, validate varietal claims, and build consumer trust with independent, data-backed assurance.

3. Stronger retailer relationships

Give buyers the proof they demand. Our reports and validations provide retailer-ready evidence of safety, consistency, and performance.

4. Increased sales & performance

Optimise your harvest, reduce waste, and increase repeat orders by knowing which varieties and grades perform best in the market.

5. Long-term outcomes

Build a seasonal data story that tracks your produce’s performance over time, strengthening resilience and supporting better decision-making year after year.

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THE VALUE FOR GROWERS AND PRODUCERS

Our testing programme is already helping growers across the UK and Europe achieve measurable improvements:

  • A berry producer reduced shipment rejections by 30% after introducing routine safety and shelf-life testing.

  • A salad grower validated shelf-life claims and secured a new supermarket listing worth millions in turnover.

  • An apple producer extended storage time by 10 days, reducing waste and boosting repeat orders.

  • A stone fruit supplier proved varietal superiority, allowing them to command a premium price with a major retailer.

Each story is different; but the outcome is the same. Testing turns uncertainty into confidence, and confidence into growth.

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HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS

The Fresh Produce Product Testing Programme is designed to be straightforward, reliable, and commercially relevant.

  1. Assessment – We review your produce and challenges to design the right testing approach.

  2. Testing – Laboratory analysis for safety, residues, and contaminants; shelf-life validation; consumer feedback and quality performance checks.

  3. Reporting – Clear, actionable reports that highlight risks, strengths, and opportunities.

  4. Retailer-ready outputs – Data formatted to support commercial conversations and strengthen buyer confidence.

  5. Ongoing tracking – Seasonal analysis to give you a long-term picture of performance and outcomes.

This isn’t just about compliance; it’s about giving you the tools to succeed commercially.

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WHY THIS MATTERS NOW

The pressures on growers aren’t easing. In fact, they’re intensifying:

  • Food safety standards are stricter, with little tolerance for non-compliance.

  • Retailer competition is increasing, with suppliers needing to prove they can deliver.

  • Sustainability goals mean shelf-life performance and waste reduction are key metrics.

  • Consumer expectations are rising, with more focus on taste, appearance, and freshness.

Growers who can back their produce with testing data will have the edge. Those who can’t risk falling behind.

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WHAT YOU’LL GAIN

By joining the Fresh Produce Product Testing Programme, you’ll gain:

  • Confidence – your produce is safe, compliant, and reliable.

  • Proof – independent data you can present to retailers.

  • Direction – insights that help you improve performance and sales.

  • Trust – stronger reputation with buyers and consumers alike.

  • Growth – increased uptake, premium opportunities, and improved returns.

This isn’t testing for testing’s sake. It’s testing with a clear commercial purpose.

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IMAGINE THE FUTURE

Picture your next season with complete assurance:

  • Retailers accept your produce with confidence, supported by independent data.

  • Consumers enjoy consistent, high-quality produce, rewarding you with loyalty.

  • Waste is reduced, margins are stronger, and your team makes smarter decisions backed by evidence.

That’s the future we help growers achieve.

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WHY WORK WITH US

For over 30 years, we’ve worked with food businesses across the supply chain; from growers and producers to retailers and manufacturers. We combine scientific rigour with commercial understanding, ensuring our testing delivers outcomes that matter to your business.

Our difference is simple: we don’t just provide data. We provide clarity, assurance, and a stronger commercial story for your produce.

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READY TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BUSINESS WITH TESTING?

The Fresh Produce Product Testing Programme is built for growers who want to reduce risk, improve performance, and build stronger market relationships.

[Book a short call today] to explore how testing can support your goals this season.

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Let’s get started, shall we?

Talk to our team today about your research needs, we’d love to help.