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 foodborne illness outbreaks, product recalls, and other costly control measures.

In the EU, Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 lays down the microbiological safety criteria for easily perishable food products. Some of the foods listed in the regulation include egg products, dairy, meat products, seafood, infant formula, and ready-to-eat precut fruit and vegetables.

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

• Salmonella

• Listeria monocytogenes

• E. coli

• Cronobacter spp.

• Enterobacteriaceae

• Presumptive Bacillus cereus

The microbiological criteria 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 those by the German DGHM (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie) or the Finnish ETL (Elintarviketeollisuusliitto).

Examples of parameters for which we offer 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.

Contact us through the form below for more information and a quote tailored to your product.