Complying with U.S Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laws and regulations related to safe food
handling and water sanitation is important for all manufacturers of food and
beverage products and water bottling facilities. This is particularly essential
in meat, poultry and daily industries where food items are usually at a high
risk of contamination by bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli and etc.
To identify instances of contamination and avoid causing
infections and illness as well as business losses, coliform
testing must be a priority. Food-processing and institutional catering
companies must perform regular coliform testing to establish problems in the
production, packaging, storage and transportation processes. Water utility
companies are also required by law to perform coliform test to check for
dangerous fecal matter in drinking water.
Importance of Coliform Testing
The presence of coliform bacteria is considered a good indicator of the potential contamination of food, beverage, or a water source. Coliform bacteria consist of a related group of bacteria species that mostly occur in feces of warm blooded animals. Even though these bacteria do not cause disease, their presence is used to show that other microorganisms that can cause disease may be present.
Water pollution and food poisoning due to fecal contamination is a serious problem. Figures from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that about 45% of diseases caused by “bad water” are related to microorganisms such as fecal coliform. Also, during the period 1971-79, 37% of disease outbreaks were related to microbial contamination caused by seepage or overflow of sewage into ground water. But only about 10% of disease outbreaks were linked to chemical contamination over the same period.
In most cases, concentrations of pathogenic organisms from fecal contamination are small, but the number of different possible disease-causing bacteria is large. Consequently, it’s impractical to test for pathogenic organisms in every sample collected. Testing for an “indicator” organism like the coliform bacteria is the most effective way to determine if pathogens are present.
Microbiology Quality Assurance with Coliform Testing
For the food industry, microbiology quality assurance plays a critical role in ensuring product safety. Apart from helping identify pathogens, quality control food safety testing helps pinpoint problems in the production, storage, or packaging process. If any issues are identified, measures can be taken to rectify the problem quickly and effectively, protecting the interest of both the producer and the consumer. Manufacturers can evaluate their systems and consult with their suppliers or packagers to verify the source of contamination and undertake measures to eliminate the risk of pathogens. This, in turn, helps reduce waste and the need for costly, widespread product recalls.
The Right Microbiology Instruments Can Provide Quick and Convenient Results
Given the significance of quality control via coliform testing, and the negative effects that pathogens can have on food and beverage products, the ability to find quick and effective solutions is essential. This is where quality instrumentation for microbial testing and rapid detection systems for microbiology come in. Our range of diagnostic products for microbial detection and identification, quality indicator enumeration, pathogen detection and environmental monitoring for food and beverage products allow for highly accurate testing that provides those answers within the shortest time possible.
Importance of Coliform Testing
The presence of coliform bacteria is considered a good indicator of the potential contamination of food, beverage, or a water source. Coliform bacteria consist of a related group of bacteria species that mostly occur in feces of warm blooded animals. Even though these bacteria do not cause disease, their presence is used to show that other microorganisms that can cause disease may be present.
Water pollution and food poisoning due to fecal contamination is a serious problem. Figures from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that about 45% of diseases caused by “bad water” are related to microorganisms such as fecal coliform. Also, during the period 1971-79, 37% of disease outbreaks were related to microbial contamination caused by seepage or overflow of sewage into ground water. But only about 10% of disease outbreaks were linked to chemical contamination over the same period.
In most cases, concentrations of pathogenic organisms from fecal contamination are small, but the number of different possible disease-causing bacteria is large. Consequently, it’s impractical to test for pathogenic organisms in every sample collected. Testing for an “indicator” organism like the coliform bacteria is the most effective way to determine if pathogens are present.
Microbiology Quality Assurance with Coliform Testing
For the food industry, microbiology quality assurance plays a critical role in ensuring product safety. Apart from helping identify pathogens, quality control food safety testing helps pinpoint problems in the production, storage, or packaging process. If any issues are identified, measures can be taken to rectify the problem quickly and effectively, protecting the interest of both the producer and the consumer. Manufacturers can evaluate their systems and consult with their suppliers or packagers to verify the source of contamination and undertake measures to eliminate the risk of pathogens. This, in turn, helps reduce waste and the need for costly, widespread product recalls.
The Right Microbiology Instruments Can Provide Quick and Convenient Results
Given the significance of quality control via coliform testing, and the negative effects that pathogens can have on food and beverage products, the ability to find quick and effective solutions is essential. This is where quality instrumentation for microbial testing and rapid detection systems for microbiology come in. Our range of diagnostic products for microbial detection and identification, quality indicator enumeration, pathogen detection and environmental monitoring for food and beverage products allow for highly accurate testing that provides those answers within the shortest time possible.
Contact Biolumix to learn more
about the significance of coliform testing.
Biolumix
3928 Varsity Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 984-3100
Fax: 734-222-1830
Email: info@mybiolumix.com
