Microbiological quality of food, feed, and dietary supplements

Microbiological quality is one of the most important quality assessments performed on food products, as microbiological hazards are among the biggest risk factors considering the general safety of food and feed. Failure to produce microbiologically acceptable products can lead to outbreaks, product recalls, and forced, costly control measures that can affect not only the producer of the faulty product but the industry as a whole.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 2073/2005 lays down the microbiological criteria for certain microorganisms in foodstuffs. Foods mentioned in the regulation include, among others, egg products, ready-to-eat precut fruit and vegetables, infant formula, meat products, milk, and dairy.

Micro-organisms for which limit values have been set include the following:

• Salmonella

• Listeria monocytogenes

• E. coli

• Cronobacter spp.

• Enterobacteriaceae

• Presumptive Bacillus cereus

Rules for feed are given in Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011, which sets limits for Salmonella and Enterobacteriaceae in animal-derived feed products.

Microbiological quality can be evaluated further based on national regulations and guidances, such as ones provided by the German DGHM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie) or the Finnish ETL (Elintarviketeollisuusliitto).

The microbiological testing plan should be based on a risk-based assessment of the product and a thorough identification of critical control points, achieved by implementing an HACCP management system.

Common parameters for testing include:

• Aerobic micro-organisms

• Anaerobic micro-organisms

• Aerobic spore-forming micro-organisms

• Anaerobic spore-forming micro-organisms

• Presumptive Bacillus cereus

• Coliform bacteria

• Thermotolerant coliform bacteria

• Clostridium perfringens

• Cronobacter spp.

• E. coli

• Enterococci

• Enterobacteriaceae

• Yeasts and moulds

• Coagulase-positive staphylococci

• Lactic acid bacteria

• Pseudomonas spp.

• Sulphite-reducing clostridia

• Spore-forming sulphite-reducing clostridia

• Osmotolerant yeasts

• Campylobacter spp.

• Listeria monocytogenes in 25 g

• Salmonella in 25 g

• Salmonella in 125 g

• Hepatitis A

• Norovirus

The displayed price applies to the analysis of one microbiological parameter for one sample. The price per parameter per sample generally decreases when several parameters and/or larger sample batches are analyzed.

For more information and a quote tailored to your product, please contact us through the form below.