Biltong
Water Activity Meter for Biltong
Biltong has surged in popularity not only in Southern Africa but also in New Zealand, where it is widely enjoyed as a convenient readytoeat, highprotein snack. Because it is consumed without further cooking, careful control of drying conditions, water activity, and microbial risk is essential to ensure product safety.
Biltong is made from red meat that is sliced, seasoned, and airdried under controlled temperature and humidity to slow spoilage and maintain flavour and texture. As noted by MPI guidance, biltong must be dried sufficiently to prevent microbial growth—including pathogens linked to foodborne illness. Finished biltong must reach a water activity level of <0.85 aw to ensure safety and shelf stability. Making biltong
According to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), all biltong sold in New Zealand must have a water activity below 0.85 aw. This threshold prevents harmful microbial growth and is a critical requirement for all commercial producers.
Mätt Solutions is the authorised New Zealand supplier of AQUALAB - USA water activity meters, the global leaders in water activity and moisture measurement.
Aqualab PawKit – ideal for biltong processors
The Aqualab PawKit provides:
- Fast, accurate, portable water activity measurement
- Simple operation suitable for kitchens, food processors, and curing facilities
- High durability and minimal maintenance requirements
- Accuracy traceable to NIST standards, with calibration certificates accepted by MPI
For processors requiring laboratorygrade primarymethod instruments, Aqualab USA also manufactures the Aqualab 4TE and Aqualab TDL2, widely recognised as the industry standard for cured meats such as jerky and biltong. These instruments ensure compliance with the <0.85 aw specification for microbial safety.
Water Activity Testing Service – ShelfLife Laboratory (NZ)
In addition to supplying instruments, Mätt Solutions operates one of New Zealand’s leading shelf life and water activity testing laboratories, with over 20 years of analytical experience supporting food, meat, and petfood manufacturers. The lab provides:
- Water activity testing for biltong and dried meats
- Full shelf-life studies, including microbial stability
- Moisture, texture, sensory, and colour analysis
This service is ideal for producers who need verification testing, product development support, or independent compliance documentation.
Yes. Mätt Solutions offers 24- and 36-month operating lease options that include:
- Annual calibration
- Preventative maintenance
- No upfront capital expenditure
- Fully tax-deductible operating costs
At the end of the lease, customers can return the instrument or purchase it at a preferential price.
Medium and long-term lease options for all water activity meters are also available through BACD, including packages with service and calibration. Lease your instrument today - Own a Water Activity Meter without a capex. Matt solutions introduces leasing options through BACD for any business size.
Please refer to the additional questions below.
(from Cured Meats section)
The primary-method dew point water activity meters—including the Aqualab 4TE and Aqualab TDL2—are the recognised industry standard for verifying that dried meats such as jerky and biltong meet the <0.85 aw requirement for microbial stability.
Cured meats involve risks from pathogens and microorganisms, requiring stringent quality control procedures throughout production. Mätt Solutions provides a full suite of tools—including NIR analysis, pH measurement, water activity testing, and shelf-life studies—to help producers maintain consistent texture, flavour, and safety.
Yes. Mätt Solutions supplies Near Infrared (NIR) systems such as the Perten DA7250, NIR Analyzer PerkinElmer DA 7250 At-line NIR Instrument | Matt Solutions DA7350 PerkinElmer DA 7350 In-line NIR Camera Instrument | Matt Solutions and DA7440 NIR Analyzer PerkinElmer DA 7440 On-line NIR | Matt Solutions, which conduct compositional analysis in seconds. These tools help optimise biltong texture, dryness, and product consistency.
Yes. Solid-state spear-tip pH meters - such as Hanna, Horiba, and Eutech meters – and flat contact ones like Atago Pal PH - pH meter Atago PAL-pH - enable accurate pH measurement of whole meat pieces, an important safety and fermentation control parameter in cured meats.
- NZ’s largest supplier of water activity meters, including the full Aqualab range, 20+ years local market insights
- Shelf-life testing laboratory with 20+ years’ experience of testing
- Full Local Service, parts, calibration, technical support and instrument repair
- Lease options available for instrumentation solutions.
- National support from experts in food technology and meat science