Microbiological analysis

Indicators for monitoring hygieneHygiene indicator micro-organisms analysis

It monitors the hygienic conditions in the production of food and other products by analysing indicator micro-organisms. The microbiological quality of products influences not only their shelf life, but also their safety as a possible carrier of toxicosis

Regulation (EU) No. 2073/2005 establishes microbiological criteria for foods, including food safety criteria and process hygiene criteria. These criteria are based on the microbiological analysis of parameters associated with the occurrence of pathogens and hygiene indicators, establishing levels that will be interpreted as satisfactory, acceptable or unsatisfactory, depending on the values obtained. Therefore, hygiene indicator analysis is a legal requirement for food companies. By analysing hygiene indicators, we can:

Determine the overall hygienic quality of our products
Assess the hygienic conditions of equipment, production environments and handling practices
Validate and verify cleaning and disinfection processes

Therefore, by monitoring hygiene indicators, we can adopt a truly preventive approach. We are able to detect inadequate hygienic conditions or practices that could increase the risk of contamination by both spoilage micro-organisms and pathogens. Indicator monitoring is therefore complementary to the monitoring of pathogens or spoilage.

At AINIA we give you value

Authorised to perform tests on foods for the main indicators:
- Mesophilic aerobes
- Total coliforms
- Escherichia coli
- Moulds and yeasts
- Coagulase-positive staphylococci
- Enterobacteriaceae
- Sulphite-reducing anaerobes
- Spores of sulphite-reducing anaerobes
Techniques: plate count, automated MPN, manual MPN, culture isolation techniques for detection
Assessment for the optimisation of control plans, identifying the indicator micro-organisms to be controlled according to the type of product, and the interpretation of the final results
Fast response times, deadlines adapted to the needs of our clients, including positive release systems
Implementation of technical assistance studies with proposals for corrective action in the event of these indicator micro-organisms. Multidisciplinary solutions

Approved in the Accreditation Programme “Microbiological Testing of Foods” (NT-70.02). Tests for compliance with microbiological criteria for foods (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Aerobic colony count, Enterobacteriaceae, Coagulase positive Staphylococci, presumptive Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcal enterotoxins). Consult the scope in this link: ENAC Accreditations AINIA laboratories

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