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.
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March 2022 | FOOD RE VIEW
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