Food Review March 2022

Page 14

INDUSTRY TALK

The importance of microbiological testing What does microbiology have to do with food safety? More than you think. It is one of the main aspects of overall testing in South Africa, in fact. Failing to do the necessary microbiology testing can result in a slew of complications. But what should you test for? How often should you have your products tested? What does the law say about microbiology testing?

A

s a manufacturer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your food products comply with

standards and regulations. That’s why you need to clarify your testing strategy. To do that, you need an understanding of microbiology testing. So, let’s get into it.

What is microbiology testing? Microbiology testing is the process of analysing your products to detect and quantify pathogenic microorganisms. The purpose of it is to ensure that the food is safe for consumption. These labs can test your products for a variety of microorganisms.

How does this fit into overall food safety?

"Microbiology testing is the process of analysing your products to detect and quantify pathogenic microorganisms."

The frequency of microbiological testing depends on the type of product you are producing. Moist foods need to be tested more often than dry foods. This is because

Foodstuffs can carry hazards that are not visible to the human eye. These could be

How often should you do microbiology testing?

Partly cooked or uncooked seawater or

dry environments are not hospitable to

microbiological or chemical risks. Common

freshwater foods like mussels should have

bacteria. However, despite the technicalities

hazards, in terms of microbiology, include

a limited amount of Vibrio and Shigella. In

of how often you should test, it is still a good

bacteria like salmonella. Food products can

25g of these products, the microorganisms

idea to test frequently.

also contain parasites and pathogens. If

should be absent.

ingested by people, these can cause illnesses

These are just two examples to show

In 2017 -2018, a pathogen called Listeria monocytogenes went undetected in certain

and disease, and could have a detrimental

you that you are required by the law to

meat products. This led to a listeriosis

effect on public health. Microbiology testing

ensure that your products are safe. The

outbreak in South Africa, which caused the

helps you to prevent harm being caused

laws are in place to keep people safe. So, if

death of more than 180 people. If pathogens

through your products.

you don’t follow them, you are endangering

go undetected in your products, you face

people’s lives.

severe reputational risks, unnecessary costs (the sum of recalls, legal fees, damages and

What does the law say?

more), and you are putting people in harm’s

The Department of Health has made

What should you test for?

regulations for microbiological standards,

There are two sectors of microorganisms

way. It’s better to test frequently to avoid a

in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and

that you should be aware of. The first group

situation like this.

Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act no. 54 of 1972).

are microorganisms that result in spoilage.

Anything that results in food poisoning or

They detail various organisms that are not

These will not cause people to get sick, but

spoiled foods, is a risk to food safety. That’s

allowed to be present in food products.

will cause food to go off. In general, for this

why microbiology testing is so important.

Also, they specify which tests you should

category you would test for bacteria, moulds

Undetected harmful substances can cause

use to find organisms in food. For instance,

and yeast.

your business and your customer’s harm.

they explain that: All food products are

Second, you should test for pathogens

To avoid this, you should get in contact

prone to spoilage by microorganisms.

that cause food poisoning. For example,

with accredited providers of food and

Certain microorganisms like Escherichia

E.coli or Salmonella. It is important

occupational health and safety testing, to

coli, Listeria monocytogenes as well as

to remember that there are limits for

analyse your products. •

Salmonella should be absent in ready to eat

the presence of all microorganisms in

food products.

food products.

14

March 2022 | FOOD RE VIEW

Assurecloud – www.assurecloud.co.za


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