Enterobacteriaceae Count Testing
Enterobacteriaceae is a large family of Gram-negative bacteria that includes both harmless commensals and potential pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli, and Yersinia. Enumeration of this group serves as a hygiene indicator and helps assess process control, especially in heat-treated or ready-to-eat foods.
Why It’s Important
- Hygiene Indicator: Reflects post-processing contamination or inadequate sanitation.
- Process Validation: Confirms effectiveness of thermal treatments and packaging integrity.
- Spoilage & Pathogen Risk: Detects organisms that may cause spoilage or harbor virulence factors.
- Regulatory Compliance: Required under ISO, AOAC, EPA, Codex, and EU microbiological criteria.
Sample Types
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Meat and poultry (raw, cooked, RTE)
- Fresh produce and salads
- Infant formula and powdered foods
- Environmental swabs and rinse water
Testing Methods
- Culture-Based Enumeration
- Plating on Violet Red Bile Glucose (VRBG) Agar
- Incubation at 37°C for 24 hours
- Colonies appear as red/purple with bile precipitation
- Reported as CFU/g or CFU/mL
- Petrifilm™ Enterobacteriaceae Count Plates
- Rapid, validated method with results in 24 hours
- Colonies visualized with gas and/or acid zones
- Approved by AOAC OMA #2003.01 and NF VALIDATION
- Most Probable Number (MPN) Method
MPN is a statistical estimation technique used to determine the concentration of viable microorganisms in a sample, especially when microbial counts are expected to be low or when the sample is too turbid or particulate-rich for direct plating.
Standards & Accreditation
- Accreditation: Performed under ISO/IEC 17025 protocols
- ISO 21528-2:2017 – Colony count method for enumeration in food, feed, and environmental samples
- AOAC 2003.01 – Official method for Petrifilm EB plates
- Reporting: Digital COA with CFU values, media used, and interpretive notes
Leading food testing laboratory ensuring safety and quality in the food industry.
Contact Us
9341 E.Childs Ave., Planada, CA 95365, USA.
operations@fsa-lab.com
info@fsa-lab.com
support@fsa-lab.com
Office 1 : (209) 877 8728 Office 2 : (209) 877 8729