Colour coded sample bags

Following a trial earlier in the year, Eurofins Food Testing UK, a supplier of testing services for food and agriculture, has introduced colour coded bags to ensure a smooth transition of samples through the laboratory.

Customers are now required to put samples into differently coloured bags according to the type of test to be undertaken – pesticide, allergen, microbiological and chemistry for example. Clear bags have also been introduced to distinguish between fresh and frozen samples. The new colour coding means samples can now go directly to the correct department to be tested, resulting in a faster turnaround.

Iain Swinton from Eurofins says: “Eurofins Wolverhampton Laboratory receives samples from all over the UK. Colour coding the sample bags is a simple concept, and part of the ‘lean’ philosophy that is operated in this laboratory, but it has improved the flow of samples through the different departments.”