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Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our FAQ page! Here, we have compiled a list of common questions we receive to help you quickly find the information you need. If you don’t find the answer to your question here, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Laboratory

What is the procedure to send samples for analysis?

  1. Email your enquiry to lab.unipeq@ukm.edu.my
  2. Our PIC will reply to the email and provide the Analysis Requisition Form
  3. Fill up the Analysis Requisition Form and submit the completed form to us for quotation issuance purposes.
  4. Upon agreeing with the quotation, the client must revert the Reply Slip. Then the samples can be couriered or self-delivered, and payment can be done accordingly.

How to send samples?

Samples can be couriered to Unipeq or self-delivery. Samples must be received in good condition.

Details for the courier:

Unipeq Sdn Bhd,
Block A, UKM-MTDC Technology Centre,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
43600 Bangi, Selangor.

Attention: BD Admin, 03-89215965

Remark: Sample for Analysis

What should be attached with the samples for delivery?

Please attach the signed Reply Slip and proof of payment / Purchase Order (PO).

Does Unipeq offers pick up services?

Yes, we offer pick up services by request. Some fees will be charged to client.

What is the Turn Around Time for the analysis?

Our Turn Around Time for normal services is 14 working days upon payment confirmation for CASH customers or upon receipt of Purchase Order for government agencies and routine customers.

Do you offer urgent services?

Yes, we offer urgent services for certain analysis depending on availability. The urgent services shorten Turn Around Time to less than 7 days with 50% additional charges from the total fees.

What is the minimum quantity required for test parameter?

Each test requires different quantity for testing. Normally we will state as 100 g/ml in the quotation. But the actual minimum samples required will depend on the number of samples or test parameters and will be advised accordingly.

Does Unipeq provide COA analysis? / What is COA?

Certificate of Analysis (COA) is not an analysis. It is a formal document that details the results of one or more laboratory analyses, authorized by approved signatory.

How do I get my Certificate of Analysis?

Certificate of Analysis will be provided via electronic-coa. A hard copy can be provided with some fee upon request.

Are the test parameters accredited?

There are certain test parameters that are accredited, in which those that are not accredited will be symbolized as a star (*) in the quotation.

(*): Test parameter is not accredited

Can I request my balance sample(s)?

Yes, you can. You need to inform our laboratory personnel officially and remark it in the Analysis Requisition Form. It needs to be self-collected within two (2) weeks after the issuance of Certificate of Analysis.

Any discount for students?

We do not offer specific discounts for students or industries. However, we do offer seasonal promotions. You may follow our social media accounts to be updated about our promotions.

Training

Are the training programs claimable under HRD Corp.?

Yes, our training programs are claimable under the HRD Corp Claimable Courses scheme. Further inquiries regarding HRD Corp Claimable Course, such as maximum claim or grants application, can be referred from HRDC Employer Guideline

What is the minimum number of participants for In House Courses?

Typically, each program will have between 20 – 25 pax. It is advisable to have a minimum of 10 pax per program, but any less than that can be considered according to clients’ acceptance towards the fee.

What is the maximum number of participants for Public Courses?

If you are going to apply under the HRD Corp Claimable Course scheme, the allowable maximum participant is 9 pax. For 10 participants onward, we will treat as In-house course.

Consultancy

What kind of consultation services that Unipeq provides?

Unipeq provides consultation services for Halal System, GMP Development, HACCP Development, ISO 22000 Development, FSSC 22000 Development, Food Labelling, Sensory Testing etc. not limited to the food industry but to other relevant industries as well.

What is the estimated duration until completion for consultancy services?

Three (3) months and above depending on client’s readiness.

Glycaemic Index (GI)

What is glycaemic index (GI) testing?

The Glycaemic Index (GI) is a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels. Glycaemic index or GI is a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood glucose levels.

Carbohydrates that break down during digestion releasing glucose rapidly into the blood stream have a high GI: Carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the bloodstream, have a low GI.

Is GI value regulated by any law?

From the Agreement of regulations, Part IV Labelling, Regulation 18A – Claims on the label, 18A (3) Nutrition claims in this regulation includes the following claims; (a) nutrient content claim; (b) nutrient comparative claim; (c) nutrient function claim; and (d) claim for enrichment, fortification or other words of similar meaning specified in sub regulation (7) of regulation 26.

GI does not easily fit into the health claims classification framework and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has chosen to view GI claims as a special case. FSANZ considered GI claims as special case, the specifically background regulations for the GI claims might be under the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulation 1985 which respects into a few criteria that fits in the Act.

According to FSANZ review, the preferred method for determining GI, that is using the Standards Australia Australian Standard® Glycaemic Index of foods (AS 4694 – 2007) which is a voluntary standards scheme.

As for more detailed of international standard were referring to International Standard of ISO 26642; Food products — Determination of the glycaemic index (GI) and recommendation for food classification

Does UNIPEQ has the accreditation to undergo GI testing?

UNIPEQ SDN. BHD. is the first laboratory in Malaysia that received the accreditation for GI testing from Standards Malaysia which is well equipped to conduct GI Testing of products.

What are examples of GI value in foods?

GI Scales

These ranges, along with some example foods, include:

  • low GI (less than 55) – examples include soy products, beans, fruit, milk, pasta, grainy bread, porridge (oats) and lentils.
  • medium GI (55 to 70) – examples include orange juice, honey, basmati rice and wholemeal bread.
  • high GI (greater than 70) – examples include potatoes, white bread and short-grain rice.

What does low glycaemic index mean?

Low glycaemic foods are those that have a low value on the glycaemic index. Studies show that these foods can be good for you in many ways. Low glycaemic foods help with weight loss and blood sugar. This may help lower the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.

How do you know if a food is low glycaemic?

The GI of a food can only be determined by a laboratory that uses the international standards for testing the GI of foods. A quick and easy way to know if the food is low GI is to look out for the GI Symbol on food packaging.

What is the normal glycaemic index?

  • Low GI: 1 to 55.
  • Medium GI: 56 to 69.
  • High GI: 70 and higher.

Is it better to have a high or low glycaemic index?

Some of the latest studies suggest that: a low glycaemic index diet can help maintain weight loss. a high glycaemic index increases the risk of breast, prostate, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. A high glycaemic index diet increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

How do you test the glycaemic index of a food?

Determining the GI value of a food is a done in a laboratory or clinical research facility by feeding min 10 healthy clinical subjects a portion of food containing 50 grams or 25 gram of available carbohydrates and measuring their blood glucose for the next two hours. The area under curve for two hours blood glucose response for the food is measured.

The Gl ranks carbohydrate foods on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the impact the food will give on blood glucose levels after consumption. The higher the GI is, the more rapid the spike in blood glucose levels.

What about Glycaemic Load (GL)? What is it all about?

Glycaemic load (GL) also measures how quick a carbohydrate food affect blood sugar but GL takes into account the serving size consumed.

  1. Low-GL foods have a value of less or equivalent to 10.
  2. Moderate-GL foods have a value of 11-19.
  3. High-GL foods have a value of more or equivalent to 20.

Difference between glycaemic loads and glycaemic index?

The glycaemic index (GI) rates carbohydrates according to how quickly they raise the glucose level of the blood. The glycaemic load (GL) rates carbohydrates according to the glycaemic index and the amount of carbohydrates in the food.

How do you convert glycaemic index to glycaemic load?

Glycaemic load is based on the glycaemic index (GI), and is calculated by multiplying the grams of available carbohydrates in the food by the food’s glycaemic index, and then dividing by 100.

Can an industry claim the product is low, medium, or high GI content?

Currently, the industry cannot claim their product under certain GI classification claims. However, they can make use any numerical values in their product by using graphical, any descriptor to educate the consumers on GI.

The draft Standard (based on FSANZ review) requires that any GI claims in the nutrition information panel also include the numerical value of the GI value. When purchasing foods with GI claims, consumers receive sufficient information to make informed decisions and are protected from potentially misleading information because:

  1. Numerical values must be disclosed along with the claim;
  2. Such claims must be substantiated;
  3. The method for determining GI of carbohydrates in foods is described in an Australian Standard®; and
  4. Claims are subject to nutrient profiling scoring criteria

In the Malaysian contexts, item (iii) uses method protocol from ISO26642:2010 for determination of GI values.

What are the criteria for subjects to undergo GI testing?

  1. Normal BMI
  2. Healthy, No food allergies
  3. Age limit 20 – 50 years old
  4. Able to conduct own blood glucose testing
  5. Not pregnant or lactating for women
  6. Non – haemophobic
  7. Non – smoker
  8. Able to commit with the time given

What is normal blood sugar by age?

Before meals, blood sugar should be: From 90 to 130 mg/dL (5.0 to 7.2 mmol/L) for adults. From 90 to 130 mg/dL (5.0 to 7.2 mmol/L) for children, 13 to 19 years old. From 90 to 180 mg/dL (5.0 to 10.0 mmol/L) for children, 6 to 12 years old.

Benefits of low Glycaemic Index (GI) foods

  • Improve blood glucose control
  • Prevent and manage diabetes
  • Increase satiety and reduce appetite
  • Facilitate weight loss
  • Improve blood lipid profile
  • Reduce risk of diabetes, coronary heart diseases (CHD), and certain types of cancer (prostate, breast, and colorectal).