Overview
Select organisms for the food and the process
A dry spice, chilled dairy product and ready-to-eat meal present different microbiological questions. Processing, water activity, handling after cooking, storage and intended use influence the organisms, indicators and sampling plan that matter.
Chem-Tech reviews the sample matrix and testing objective before confirming the analytical scope. Indicator counts, spoilage organisms and pathogen tests provide different evidence and should be interpreted separately.
Food-safety context
Products, processes and microbiological requirements
Foods, ingredients and processing-environment samples
Selected microorganisms and hygiene indicators
Product, process and investigation requirements
Programme guidance
Counts, indicators and pathogen investigations
Microbial counts
Aerobic plate count and yeast or mould measurements can support quality, spoilage or process-trend review where relevant.
Hygiene indicators
Coliforms and E. coli can support a defined hygiene or process question; the criterion depends on the food and use.
Specified organisms
Select organism-specific detection or enumeration against the product requirement, rather than applying the same pathogen list to every food.
Environmental evidence
Plan water or food-contact-surface work separately when investigating sanitation and handling controls.
Testing scope
Sampling is part of the test plan
Agree the number of sample units, sampling point, test portion, sterile container and transport conditions before collection. A composite sample cannot automatically replace an individual-unit sampling plan.
Identify the lot, processing state, collection time and storage history. Temperature changes, contamination during collection and delays can affect how the result represents the original sample.
Programme guidance
Read the result against the correct criterion
Use the product-specific criteria and sampling plan, including the applicable FSSAI Appendix B requirement where relevant. A result reported as not detected refers to the tested portion and method; it does not establish that the entire batch contains no organism.
Microbiology does not measure pesticide residues, heavy metals, adulterants or nutritional composition. Connect the test plan with chemical testing when those questions are part of the requirement.
Programme guidance
Reference documents
FSSAI regulations, amendments and product standards
FSSAI manuals of methods of analysis
Published laboratory capability
Tests and test methods
The methods below are matched to Chem-Tech's controlled technical test lists and published laboratory capability. The final scope is confirmed for the sample, specification and current laboratory capability.
| Test / parameter | Published test method | Technical purpose | Interpretation / high-low context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Plate Count | IS 5402 | Measures or evaluates aerobic plate count under the published method. | A higher or lower result is interpreted against the applicable specification, sample type and available reference data; direction alone does not establish conformity. |
| E. coli | IS 5887 Part I | Assesses the selected microbiological indicator or organism group. | Detection or a higher count indicates greater microbiological loading; interpretation must follow the applicable water-use requirement and sampling controls. |
| Coliform | IS 5401 | Assesses the selected microbiological indicator or organism group. | Detection or a higher count indicates greater microbiological loading; interpretation must follow the applicable water-use requirement and sampling controls. |
| Staphylococcus aureus | IS 5887 Part II | Measures or evaluates staphylococcus aureus under the published method. | A higher or lower result is interpreted against the applicable specification, sample type and available reference data; direction alone does not establish conformity. |
| Yeast and Mould | IS 5403 | Measures or evaluates yeast and mould under the published method. | A higher or lower result is interpreted against the applicable specification, sample type and available reference data; direction alone does not establish conformity. |
| Shigella | IS 5887 Part VII | Measures or evaluates shigella under the published method. | A higher or lower result is interpreted against the applicable specification, sample type and available reference data; direction alone does not establish conformity. |
Before dispatch
Sample-submission guidance
- Use a clean, secure and appropriately labelled container; agree sterile portions for microbiology.
- Provide the product name, ingredients, batch or lot, processing state, packaging and storage requirements.
- Share the target market, applicable product specification and testing objective. Confirm quantity, sample units and transport conditions before dispatch.
Technical output
Reporting and interpretation
Review results against the agreed product specification, sampling plan, batch identity and method. A report applies to the submitted sample and agreed scope; it does not certify every batch or guarantee complete food safety.
Explore the evidence
Related testing and practical guidance
Relevant analytical services
Technical reading
Product-specific pathways
Discuss your requirement
Plan your food-testing requirement
Share the product or facility, intended market and the decision you need to make. Our team will review the requirement and confirm the scope.