Icon

Microbiological Testing

Mérieux NutriSciences is the food industry’s leading microbiological testing partner

Our microbiologists apply their expert understanding of food matrices and regulatory requirements to perform tests according to standards set by ISO, AFNOR, APHA, AOAC, EP & USP. We can also perform microbiological testing according to client-specific standards as required.

We can help you to isolate and identify common indicator organisms and foodborne pathogens, analyze raw ingredient samples and finished products to guarantee the quality and safety of your food products. Bacterial identification and foodborne illness investigations are just a few of the additional services we provide. We can even arrange convenient and secure pickup of your samples.

Our highly specialized labs perform microbiological testing in all matrices, including, but not limited to:

  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Dairy
  • Water
  • Beverages
  • Fruit and vegetables
  • Cereals and nuts
  • Ingredients and additives
  • Animal feed
  • Finished products
  • Food contact material

Our Food microbiological laboratory services

Mérieux NutriSciences’ microbiological laboratory testing portfolio includes analytical services to detect common indicators, pathogenic microbes and their toxins or organisms causing decay such as yeasts and moulds.

Our full range of microbiological testing enables you to guarantee the quality of your food products by ensuring they are free of spoilage organisms or pathogens. Our international network of ISO-accredited laboratories conforms to the most stringent industry standards to ensure the integrity of your data.

Indicator Microorganisms

  • Fecal contamination indicators
  • Heat-resistant microorganisms
  • Psychrotrophic microorganisms
  • Spore-forming microorganisms

Pathogens and Toxins

  • Listeria monocytogenes
  • Salmonella
  • Legionella pneumophila
  • Escherichia coli STEC including O157
  • Potentially Enteropathogenic Vibrio species
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Bacillus cereus
  • Cronobacter spp (Enterobacter sakazakii)*
  • Campylobacter
  • Enterotoxins
  • Staphylococcus aureus

*Denotes services or tests not conducted on site in South Africa. These can, however, be outsourced to one of Mérieux NutriSciences’ global network laboratories.

Our recognized expertise in industrial microorganism testing can help you control quality and safety at different stages of product development.

The enumeration of specific bacterial species can be carried out on isolated species or complex floras. Counting techniques used in our laboratories involve both reference methods (ISO and IDF) and internally validated methods for those bacterial species for which there is no official reference method.

Some of our most commonly requested microorganism tests include:

  • Bifidobacteria
  • Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus
  • Lactobacillus casei
  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus
  • Streptococcus thermophilus
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae

*Denotes services or tests not conducted on site in South Africa. These can, however, be outsourced to one of Mérieux NutriSciences’ global network laboratories.

Microbiological challenge testing is a useful tool for determining the ability of a food to support the growth of spoilage organisms or pathogens.

Challenge testing helps you simulate what could happen to a product during production, processing, distribution or subsequent handling by consumers. It is also an essential tool in the development of new formulations or products.

Why perform a challenge test?

  • To determine if certain spoilage organisms or pathogens can develop in a particular food or food product
  • To determine shelf life under various storage conditions
  • To study the effectiveness of a preservative or determine the presence of certain concentrations of a preservative
  • To ensure compliance with food safety regulations which require manufacturers to conduct such studies in certain foods, especially packaged and ready-to-eat foods with the potential for Listeria, Salmonella and other pathogens

Find out more about the Challenge Studies performed by Mérieux NutriSciences Contract Research Services.

Learn More

We also perform a variety of swab tests with our environmental monitoring services to guarantee the safety and hygiene of your production environment.

Learn More

If you are looking for a scientific partner to assist you with routine food safety testing or more complex analyses, we are your food testing laboratory of choice. Contact us to find an accredited testing laboratory that can support your microbiological analysis of food and water.

Contact US

On the same topic