Andrzej Benkowski
Technical Manager, Probiotics & Dietary Supplements
As the Technical Manager at Eurofins Center of Excellence for Probiotics, Andrzej Benkowski brings over 18 years of expertise in biotics quality management, testing, and technology. With a strong technical background in food microbiology, Andrzej specializes in contract R&D, method development, and pioneering technologies for probiotic evaluation.
Since 2019, Andrzej has chaired the International Probiotic Association (IPA) Technical Committee and has been a member of the IPA Board of Directors since early 2024. He also contributes to the IPA Postbiotics Committee and has served as the IPA expert liaison with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) TC34/SC9 Working Group 11 since 2022, co-convening their Enumeration Subgroup.
Andrzej is dedicated to advancing the biotics industry by setting rigorous standards and driving innovation with a focus on quality.
Outside of his professional and scientific achievements, Andrzej is a member of the Eurofins Madison Site Employee Engagement Team and manages the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program for the site. A founding member of the funk band Steez, he also plays saxophone, synthesizers, and vocals. Andrzej enjoys the outdoors, spending time with his family, and pretending to be a coffee aficionado. Additionally, he has a passion for collecting sneakers and fitted hats.
Below are resources from Andrzej:
The demand for shelf-stable beverages continues to grow across categories, from juices and ready-to-drink teas to dairy-based and plant-based protein drinks. However, ensuring both safety and product integrity requires a clear understanding of processing methods, particularly as they relate to high-acid vs. low-acid beverages. This white paper outlines best practices for processing high-acid and low-acid beverages, common formulation challenges, and key factors for ensuring a safe, high-quality final product.
Testing complex botanical matrices using HPTLC goes beyond simply running a sample through a machine—it requires a deep understanding of both the plant material’s unique properties and the strengths and limitations of HPTLC. In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of testing complex botanical samples using HPTLC, highlighting the challenges involved and how this technique can effectively overcome them—even in the most complex matrices.
(HPTLC) has established itself as the preferred analytical tool for identification of botanical samples. As with any analytical method, validating the HPTLC method is crucial to ensure that it produces reliable, accurate, and reproducible results. In this article, we will explore the process of HPTLC method validation, why it is necessary, and the critical parameters to consider.
Discover how increasing tariffs on agricultural commodities may heighten the risk of food fraud within global supply chains and explore key strategies to safeguard product integrity.
Sugar reduction is a growing priority in product development as consumers seek to address concerns related to sugar consumption. Removing sugar from a formulation presents several challenges beyond just replacing its sweetness. This article walks through considerations that must be made for a successful sugar reduction strategy.
Food safety risks in fruit and vegetable processing environments can come from many different sources. Agricultural items are inherently dirty products, which can introduce risk- including microbial pathogens- to a facility from the outside environment. If your Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) and sanitation programs are not sufficient to control these risks, these products could be potentially cross contaminating other products that are subsequently processed in the facility. It is therefore imperative that we think about risks from both our incoming products and our processes when designing environmental monitoring programs.
This comprehensive guide dives into the considerations that must be taken when developing a nutritional bar product.
Topics Include:
• Better for You Bar formulation to meet consumer demands
• Cost consideration when formulating a nutritional bar
• Fiber, Sugar, and Protein ingredient functionality in a nutritional bar
Pilot-scale and small-batch production play a critical role in food, beverage, and dietary supplement development. These early stage runs allow companies to fine-tune formulations, troubleshoot production challenges, and test market viability before full-scale commercialization. However, without proper planning, pilot production can lead to costly setbacks. This paper outlines key considerations—including food safety, quality control, production troubleshooting, and packaging—to ensure your pilot runs set the stage for a successful market launch.
Non-culturable presumptive (NCP)- samples that yield positive pathogen detection results by PCR screening methods but do not confirm by cultural methods- can be frustrating and disruptive to clients. These situations are not unique to a testing company or the methods that are run, but it is possible to understand the root causes of NCPs, and to identify additional procedures to reduce the frequency with which they occur and minimize the likelihood of these situations impacting your data.
As winter melts away and the promise of spring invites renewal, it's the perfect time to think about new beginnings, especially when it comes to nurturing our bodies. Join us as we embark on a journey exploring plants that promote women’s health and well-being.
