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Pathogen Detection & Testing

Accredited detection and identification of foodborne pathogens using culture-based methods, real-time PCR and molecular confirmation. 

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Visualisation of pathogenic bacteria representing pathogen testing and food safety analysis.

Foodborne Pathogens: Protecting Products, Brands and Consumers

Microbial colony on agar medium used for foodborne pathogen detection and microbiological testing.

Reliable microbiological testing is essential for ensuring food safety, maintaining consumer confidence and meeting regulatory requirements. Effective monitoring supports preventive quality management and helps identify risks before they impact products, processes or market access.

We support food manufacturers and processors in the reliable detection, assessment and control of relevant pathogens. Accreditation to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 and approval under § 44 LFGB provide confidence in scientifically robust and regulatory-compliant results.

Pathogen Risk Management in Food Production

Effective pathogen monitoring supports preventive food safety management by helping identify contamination risks early, verify hygiene measures and support compliance with regulatory and customer-specific requirements.
Food product risk assessment across critical product categories.

Pathogen Risk Assessment

Identification and evaluation of microbiological risks in food products, raw materials and production environments.

Supports risk-based testing strategies and preventive food safety management.

Environmental monitoring and hygiene testing for contamination control.

Environmental Monitoring

Assessment of production environments, equipment and surfaces to identify potential contamination sources.

Supports hygiene verification, trend analysis and preventive environmental monitoring programs.

HACCP and IFS compliance supported by microbiological testing data.

HACCP Verification

Microbiological data provide a reliable basis for monitoring critical control points and verifying food safety programs.

Supports documentation requirements, audits and continuous improvement initiatives through scientifically robust analytical data.

 

Preventing product recalls through early microbiological risk detection.

Recall Prevention Support

Early detection of microbiological risks helps reduce the likelihood of food safety incidents, product recalls and associated business impacts.

Supports preventive quality assurance and informed risk management decisions.

Parameter Portfolio

Our analytical portfolio covers relevant foodborne pathogens associated with food safety, regulatory compliance and microbiological risk management. Depending on the pathogen, food matrix and regulatory requirements, different analytical approaches are applied to ensure reliable detection and evaluation.

Salmonella spp.

Detection of one of the most important foodborne pathogens.

Methods: Culture-based detection according to DIN EN ISO 6579.
 
Results: Detection/non-detection in a defined sample volume.

Listeria monocytogenes

Testing for a relevant pathogen in ready-to-eat and refrigerated foods.

Methods: Culture-based detection according to DIN EN ISO 11290.
 
Results: Qualitative or quantitative findings. 

STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli)

Detection of toxin-producing E. coli strains of particular relevance to meat, raw milk, and sprouts.

Methods: Real-time PCR and confirmatory analytical methods, where applicable.

Results: Detection of relevant virulence genes.

Campylobacter spp. & Cronobacter sakazakii

Analysis of significant foodborne pathogens, particularly in poultry products and infant nutrition.

Methods: Culture-based  and molecular biological techniques.
 
Results: Detection/non-detection.

Toxin-producing pathogens

Assessment of Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, including their toxin-producing potential and relevance for food safety.

Methods: Culture-based detection and toxin analysis.
 
Results: Microbiological risk assessment and food safety evaluation.

Analytical Methods

The choice of analytical method depends on the target organism, sample matrix and regulatory requirements. Culture-based and molecular methods complement each other to provide reliable pathogen detection and support informed food safety decisions.
Reference Methods

Culture-Based Detection

Culture-based methods remain the foundation of regulatory pathogen testing. Enrichment, isolation and confirmation procedures enable reliable detection and identification of relevant foodborne pathogens.

Suitable for: Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Cronobacter sakazakii and other foodborne pathogens.

Molecular Confirmation

Real-Time PCR

Real-time PCR enables rapid and specific detection of pathogenic microorganisms and relevant virulence genes. The method complements conventional culture-based techniques and supports the rapid detection of microbiological hazards.

Suitable for: Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, STEC, Campylobacter spp. and confirmation of culture-based findings.

Hygiene & Environmental Control

Hygiene Monitoring

Systematic assessment of production environments to identify potential contamination sources. Surface swabs, contact plates and environmental samples support hygiene verification, environmental monitoring and cleaning validation programs.

Suitable for: Environmental monitoring, hygiene verification, HACCP programs and trend analysis.

Sample Matrices & Application Areas

We support the analysis of a broad range of food, feed and environmental matrices. Method selection depends on
the target pathogen, sample type and regulatory requirements to ensure reliable and fit-for-purpose results.

Raw meat pieces on stainless steel processing line for microbiological pathogen testing.

Meat, Poultry & Processed Meat Products

Testing of animal-derived raw materials and processed products for relevant foodborne pathogens.

Typical samples: Fresh meat, minced meat, poultry, sausages, cured meat products and ready-to-eat foods.

Typical applications: Incoming goods, release testing, carcass monitoring, shelf-life validation, process hygiene verification.

Cottage cheese pieces as typical matrice for microbiological food safety testing.

Dairy Products

Microbiological testing of dairy products to support food safety, product quality and regulatory compliance.

Typical samples: Raw milk, cheese, yoghurt, milk powder, whey products and dairy desserts.

Typical applications: Release testing, shelf‑life studies, raw milk verification, audit support.

 

Plastic tin of powdered infant formula with scoop in a product safety and quality control context.

Infant Nutrition & Special Dietary Foods

Testing of products with particularly high food safety requirements.

Typical samples: Infant formula, follow-on formula, foods for special medical purposes and enteral nutrition products.

Typical applications: Batch release, stability testing, and regulatory compliance support.

 

Fresh ready-to-eat salad as matrices for pathogen detection in plant-based foods.

Plant-Based Foods & Ready-to-Eat Products

Detection of relevant pathogens in fresh, frozen and processed foods.

Typical samples: Fruit, vegetables, salads, sprouts, herbs, spices and prepared foods.

Typical applications: Shelf-life valida­tion (challenge testing support), release testing, complaint investigation, retailer specifications.

 

Cereals, soybeans and feed pellets used for microbiological feed safety testing.

Feed & Feed Ingredients

Microbiological assessment of feed materials and finished feed products.

Typical samples: Cereals, soy products, oilseeds, compound feed and pet food.

Typical applications: Supplier qualification, incoming goods testing, feed hygiene programs, import controls & compliance verification.

Environmental swab sampling on food production equipment for hygiene and pathogen monitoring.

Environmental Monitoring

Assessment of potential contamination sources in production and storage environments.

Typical samples: Surface swabs, contact plates, environmental swabs, process water, air and environmental samples.

Typical applications: Environmental monitoring programs, audit compliance, root-cause analysis and trend evaluation.

Illustration Law

Regulatory Framework

Pathogen testing supports compliance with food safety regulations, HACCP programs and customer-specific requirements. We support food manufacturers and processors with reliable analytical data for product release, environmental monitoring, audit preparation and microbiological risk management.

See our Microbiology Overview for further information on applicable standards and regulatory requirements.

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Related Analytics

Microbiological sampling for hygiene indicator testing in a food production environment.

Hygiene Indicators

Indicator organisms provide valuable information about process hygiene, sanitation effectiveness and potential contamination risks. Combined with pathogen testing, they support the identification of microbiological weaknesses and the verification of preventive control measures.

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Petri dish with bacterial colonies examined in a laboratory setting.

Spoilage Organisms

Spoilage microorganisms can affect shelf life, product quality and consumer acceptance long before food safety limits are reached. Combined evaluation of spoilage organisms and pathogens provides a broader understanding of microbiological product quality, shelf-life stability and production process performance.

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