Microbiological testing shows whether a product is safe and whether the production process is under control. Producers rely on it for batch release, verification of microbiological criteria, shelf-life studies and in-plant hygiene monitoring as part of their HACCP plan.
What we test
In food and feed we determine both hygiene indicators (total plate count, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and moulds) and pathogens: Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, coagulase-positive staphylococci, Bacillus cereus and Campylobacter. For fermented products we can enumerate lactic acid bacteria, and for canned foods we carry out the microbiological examination of hermetically sealed containers.
For water we use membrane filtration methods for E. coli and coliforms, intestinal enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and spores of sulphite-reducing anaerobes, as well as counts of culturable microorganisms at 22 °C and 37 °C.
Hygiene samples (swabs and contact plates from surfaces, equipment, staff hands and packaging, plus air samples) verify the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection and help identify areas at risk of cross-contamination, including Listeria in the production environment.
Regulatory framework
- Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs
- Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 – general principles of food law
- Directive (EU) 2020/2184 on water intended for human consumption
- Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls
How we work
Samples should reach the laboratory in intact packaging, at the right temperature and as soon as possible after sampling; we can advise on sampling and transport. Results are issued in a test report; accredited tests are marked as such and are listed in the RENAR annex to accreditation certificate LI 871.
Parameters and determinations
Hygiene indicators
- Total plate count at 30 °C RENAR accredited
- Coliform bacteria RENAR accredited
- Escherichia coli RENAR accredited
- Enterobacteriaceae RENAR accredited
- Yeasts and moulds RENAR accredited
- Sulphite-reducing bacteria RENAR accredited
- Mesophilic lactic acid bacteria RENAR accredited
Pathogens
- Salmonella spp. RENAR accredited
- Listeria monocytogenes (detection and enumeration) RENAR accredited
- Coagulase-positive staphylococci RENAR accredited
- Presumptive Bacillus cereus RENAR accredited
- Campylobacter spp. RENAR accredited
Water
- Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria RENAR accredited
- Intestinal enterococci RENAR accredited
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa RENAR accredited
- Spores of sulphite-reducing anaerobes RENAR accredited
- Culturable microorganisms at 22 °C and 37 °C RENAR accredited
Hygiene and special products
- Hygiene swabs: surfaces, equipment, protective clothing, hands, packaging, air authorised, not accredited
- Microbiological examination of canned foods (commercial sterility) RENAR accredited
"RENAR accredited" links to the matching row of the accredited-tests table below (RENAR annex no. 1/24.04.2026); "authorised, not accredited" means authorised by ANSVSA (authorisation no. 95/24.09.2025) but outside the accreditation; "subcontracted" means performed by a partner laboratory. An analysis with two labels is accredited only for the matrices and methods in the table. "Not accredited" (non-food products, which need no authorisation) means performed in the ICA laboratory or by a partner laboratory, outside the accreditation.
This list is not exhaustive and not all determinations are accredited. For anything not listed here, please contact our sales team.