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Food Microbiological Testing

Food microbiological testing is a critical component of food safety and quality control. It covers the detection and enumeration of microorganisms related to food safety, hygienic production practices, and product spoilage.

Testing is primarily conducted using conventional culture-based methods, supported by rapid and alternative techniques where appropriate. These include selective media cultivation, ready-to-use plate methods (e.g., Petrifilm), biochemical confirmation, microscopic examination, and immunological techniques such as ELISA. All testing is performed in accordance with internationally recognised standard methods, including FDA-BAM, ISO, AOAC, and the Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods, ensuring accurate, reliable, and regulatory-compliant results.

With a team of experienced microbiologists, ALS provides reliable testing services covering finished food products, environmental monitoring within production facilities, and water quality testing, including potable water and process water. All analyses are conducted using validated and accredited methods.

A person wearing protective laboratory clothing handles a petri dish with a colored culture inside a controlled work cabinet, with multiple racks of test tubes and stacks of petri dishes arranged on the workstation.

Indicator Microorganisms

Indicator bacteria are used to assess hygienic conditions, process control effectiveness, and overall microbiological quality of food products.

  • Total aerobic and anaerobic colony count
  • Coliforms and Escherichia coli
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Lactic acid bacteria
  • Staphylococcus aureus

Foodborne Pathogens

Detection of pathogenic microorganisms of public health significance to ensure consumer safety.

  • Salmonella species
  • Listeria monocytogenes and other Listeria species
  • Campylobacter species
  • Shigella species
  • Vibrio species

Spoilage Microorganisms

Microorganisms associated with product deterioration and reduced shelf life.

  • Yeasts and moulds
  • Bacillus cereus and other Bacillus species
  • Clostridium perfringens and other Clostridia
  • Pseudomonas species

Microbiological Support Services

  • Environmental monitoring of production areas using swab methods
  • Hand swab testing for indicator organisms and pathogens