RM
Raw material testing
Check incoming spices, flours, dairy ingredients and other inputs before they enter production.
Microbiological testing
Microbiological testing for food, water and export products
We test food, raw materials and water for spoilage organisms and pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, so you can prove your product is safe for consumers, FSSAI and overseas buyers.
Food microbiology testing lab
What is microbiological testing?
Microbiological testing is the laboratory analysis of a food, water or surface sample to count and identify bacteria, yeast and mould, including disease-causing pathogens, and check them against legal limits.
Accurate Universal Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. runs a dedicated microbiology section for food products, raw materials, water and environmental samples. Our analysts use standard IS and ISO methods to report indicator organisms, which show hygiene and shelf life, and pathogens, which must be absent from safe food.
Results support FSSAI microbiological standards, buyer specifications and export documentation, and help you find and fix contamination before it reaches the market.
Need a pathogen test before dispatch?
Tell us the product and the organisms required and we'll send a quotation.
Importance of microbiological testing
Protecting product safety and consumer health
Harmful microorganisms cannot be seen, smelt or tasted. Regular testing is the only reliable way to show a product is safe, spot hygiene failures early and keep shipments from being rejected at the border.
Testing parameters
Microorganisms we test
These are the organisms most often required by FSSAI, buyers and importing countries, what each one tells you, and the method we follow.
- 19microbial parameters
- Foodwater and swab samples
- IS / ISOstandard methods
| Test | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Total Plate Count (TPC) | Overall microbial load; a key hygiene and shelf-life indicator |
| Yeast & Mould Count | Spoilage risk, especially in dry, acidic and sugary foods |
| Coliform Testing | Indicator of poor hygiene or post-process contamination |
| E. coli Detection | Indicator of faecal contamination |
| Salmonella Testing | Pathogen; must be absent in a defined sample quantity |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Indicator of handling hygiene; can form toxins |
| Bacillus cereus | Toxin-forming bacterium in rice, spices and starchy foods |
| Giardia | Protozoan parasite in drinking water |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Required for packaged and natural mineral water |
| Listeria monocytogenes | Pathogen of concern in dairy, ready-to-eat and chilled foods |
| Enterobacteriaceae | Hygiene indicator used in EU and FSSAI criteria |
| Pathogen Detection | Screening for disease-causing organisms as required |
| Vibrio cholerae | Pathogen in water and seafood |
| Vibrio parahaemolyticus | Pathogen in seafood |
| E. coli O157 | Toxin-producing E. coli strain |
| MS2 Phage | Virus indicator in drinking water under IS 10500 |
| Cryptosporidium | Protozoan parasite in drinking water |
| Shigella | Pathogen linked to poor hygiene |
| Microbiological Analysis as per FSSAI regulations | Full panel for your FSSAI food category |
Need a single organism, an FSSAI category panel or a buyer's specification? Tell us the requirement and we'll build the panel.
Get a quote for your microbiology panel
Share your product and its FSSAI category or buyer specification. We'll confirm the tests and price.
Applications
Where microbiological testing is used
The same laboratory supports routine quality control, compliance and investigations across your supply chain.
FP
Finished product release
Batch testing against FSSAI standards or buyer specifications before dispatch.
EX
Export consignments
Pathogen and hygiene testing for importing-country requirements and certificates.
SL
Shelf-life studies
Microbial counts over time to support the best-before date on your pack.
H2O
Water and ice
Coliforms, E. coli and other organisms in process water, drinking water and ice.
How it works
From sample to microbiology report in five steps
- Step 1
Share your requirement
Tell us the product, purpose and market. We recommend the right tests and send a quotation.
- Step 2
Send the sample or book pickup
Courier a sealed sample to our Ahmedabad or Rajkot laboratory, or book a sample pickup.
- Step 3
Laboratory analysis
Samples are tested in our dedicated microbiology section using IS and ISO methods with positive and negative controls.
- Step 4
Accredited report
You receive counts and presence/absence results compared with the applicable limits.
- Step 5
Technical support
Our team explains the results and advises on next steps if a value is out of limit.
Industries we serve
Supporting food and allied industries
Any business that makes, handles or exports food or water needs reliable microbiology. These are the sectors we work with most.
- Food manufacturing companies
- Dairy industry
- Beverage industry
- Bakery & confectionery
- Hospitality & catering
- Nutraceutical companies
- Export businesses
- Water treatment industry
Not sure which organisms to test?
Our microbiologists will recommend the right panel for your product and market.
FAQs
Microbiological Testing: common questions
What is microbiological testing of food?
It is the laboratory testing of food for microorganisms: indicator organisms such as Total Plate Count, coliforms and yeast and mould, which show hygiene and shelf life, and pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, which must be absent from safe food.
Is microbiological testing legally required in India?
Yes, for many foods. FSSAI's Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations set microbiological standards for categories such as dairy, meat, fish, and ready-to-eat foods, and food businesses must ensure their products comply.
Which microorganisms should my product be tested for?
It depends on the food category and the market. FSSAI lists the organisms for each category; buyers and importing countries often add pathogens such as Salmonella or Listeria. Share your product and destination and we will recommend the panel.
How long does a microbiological test take?
Indicator counts usually need a few days of incubation, while pathogen tests take longer because they include enrichment and confirmation steps. We confirm the turnaround for your panel in the quotation.
How much does microbiological testing cost?
The cost depends on the number of organisms and the sample type. A basic hygiene panel costs less than a full pathogen panel. Tell us your requirement and we will send an itemised quotation.
What happens if a product fails a microbiological test?
The batch should be held. We help you review the result, investigate likely sources such as raw materials, process or hygiene, and retest after corrective action. Swab and water testing often help find the root cause.
Can you test water and surface swabs as well as food?
Yes. Our microbiology section tests drinking and process water, ice, hand and surface swabs, and air settle plates as well as food and raw materials.
Is Accurate Universal Laboratories accredited for this testing?
Yes. Our Ahmedabad laboratory is accredited by NABL to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (certificate TC-5021) and our Rajkot laboratory under certificate TC-7988. The tests and products covered are listed in our scope of accreditation, and we confirm whether your parameters are within scope before testing.
Still have a question about microbiology testing?
Talk to our team about sampling, limits or a failed result.
Related services
Tests that often go with microbiological testing
Get a quotation
Looking for a reliable microbiology testing lab?
Tell us the product, the organisms you need and the purpose of testing. We'll reply with the right panel, turnaround time and an itemised quotation.
- Call us+91 90330 44571
- WhatsAppChat with our team
- Emailinfo@accurateuniversal.com
- Accredited test report
- Clear guidance on the right tests
- Support from our technical team
Standards and regulatory references
- FSSAI – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
- BIS – Indian Standards (IS 5887, IS 5401 series)
- ISO – Microbiology of the food chain standards
Standards and limits change; we confirm the current requirements for your product and market at the time of testing.