There’s nothing more satisfying than opening a big bag of chips and chowing down. However, we can only enjoy that because we are 100% sure there are no germs in our food. The same thing applies to eating at restaurants. We are able to enjoy the comfort food we consume because we are sure we won’t get sick.
We are content because there are strict laws to ensure our food gets to us clean. Food and beverage-related businesses must get tests to vouch for their quality and safety, and microbiological food testing is one such necessary test. Read on to learn more about microbiological food testing as a business owner or operator.
What is Microbiological Food Testing
Microbiological food testing is a process in which samples of food products are tested for any microorganisms growing in them. All food must be tested for microorganisms to prove they are safe enough to consume. Governments have different standards that must be met in order to mass produce and sell food and beverage items.
The presence of germs in our food leads to diseases spreading, which is a liability for the company selling the food. Here are some different microorganisms that could be detected by microbiological food testing:
- E. coli & Coliforms
- Total Plate Count
- Yeast & Mould
- Salmonella
- Listeria
- Coagulative positive Staphylococci
- Bacillus cereus
- Clostridium perfringens
- Enterobacteriaceae
Methods of Microbiological Food Testing
Biologists use different methods to check for microorganism growth in food. Some methods rely on growing cultures on different media to see if microorganisms show up. These tests take several days, while other rapid methods produce results in hours or minutes.
Rapid methods get information from the molecular interactions instead of waiting days to see if any microorganism colonies show up, proving the sample was contaminated. Rapid testing is more convenient which also makes it more expensive.
What To Look For When Choosing a Microbiological Food Testing Company
To meet the requirements of food safety bodies and be allowed to distribute food products, companies must get their products tested. That means looking for a laboratory that offers microbiological food testing becomes a necessity. To ensure that you end up with the best, most reliable food testing company, try to ensure they come with the following:
Accreditations
Being Accredited by third-party agencies means a company is more reliable. It’s best to seek out a testing agency whose services are accredited rather than one without a third party vouching for them. For example, in Australia, labs that are accredited by NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) are considered more trustworthy.
Experience
Laboratories that have been testing food for longer have better practices and can be depended on more than a relatively newer company. So, when choosing a specific food testing company, factor in their experience in the industry. You would not want a less experienced agency to make any mistakes during your testing.
Comprehensive Testing
There are several other tests that food products need other than just microbiological testing, like allergen testing or pesticide residue testing, for example. It would be more convenient to get all the food tests needed from the same laboratory. That way, you’d only have to send samples to one place. So consider labs with comprehensive testing abilities.