Microbiology Testing Guide
Understand common microbiology tests and when they matter for food safety, hygiene, shelf-life, environmental monitoring, investigations, and product release decisions. Quality Plus helps clients select the right microbiology scope based on the sample, risk, testing objective, and reporting requirement.
When Microbiology testing Is Useful
Microbiology testing supports decisions related to product release, hygiene verification, shelf-life, spoilage, environmental monitoring, food safety investigations, and corrective action planning.
It can help teams understand whether a product, surface, process, environment, or sample may present a microbiological risk or quality concern.
Exact test scope, sample size, method, accreditation status, turnaround time, and reporting requirements should be confirmed with the Quality Plus technical team before sample submission.
Common Tests & Why They Matter
Total Viable Count
Total viable count provides an indication of the overall bacterial load in a sample. It can support hygiene assessment, process monitoring, shelf-life review, and general quality checks.
E. coli and Total Coliforms
E. coli and total coliform testing can help indicate possible fecal contamination, hygiene concerns, water quality issues, or process control gaps.
Salmonella Species
Salmonella testing supports food safety decisions for high-risk products, ingredients, environmental monitoring, and customer or regulatory requirements.
Listeria monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes testing is important for refrigerated foods, ready-to-eat products, processing environments, and situations where post-processing contamination may be a concern.
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus testing can support investigations related to handling, hygiene practices, contamination risk, and food safety control.
Yeast and Mold Count
Yeast and mold testing helps assess spoilage risk, shelf-life stability, product quality, storage conditions, and contamination concerns.
Laboratory Testing
Quality Plus Laboratory & Consultancy Services helps ensure that food supplies are free of contaminants
Pathogen Testing Services
Our ISO 17025 accredited microbiology laboratories offer an extensive selection of industry-standard methods for indicator and spoilage organisms. We have traditional and rapid methods to suit your needs. We offer a new approach to pathogen risk identification.-
- Salmonella species
- Escherichia coli and E. coli O157
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Campylobacter species
- Bacillus cereus
- Clostridium perfringens
- Shigella species
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Indicator & Spoilage Organisms
Environmental Monitoring Program Testing Services
Shelf Life
Need Help Confirming a Microbiology Scope?
Tell us the sample type, product category, reason for testing, and reporting requirement. Our technical team will help you confirm the appropriate microbiology testing pathway.