Microbiological testing on food products includes presence/ absence of pathogens, total coliform and aerobic plate counts.

The service includes:

• Total Coliform Count which determines the number of coliform bacteria. These bacteria are commonly found in the intestines of warm blooded animals or in the environment, for example, soil, water and grain. High coliform levels can serve to indicate unsatisfactory processing and sanitation and the possiblity of other pathogens proliferating since the conditions for growth are similar.
• Aerobic Plate Count (APC) which determines the total number of aerobic bacteria in a food. APC is useful for indicating the microbiological quality of a food product, the potential spoilage in perishable products and sanitary conditions under which the food was processed.
• Staphylococcus aureus Counts which determines the presence of this organism in food which can indicate poor food handling practices by workers and inadequate sanitation and temperature control. 
• Salmonella spp. The presence of this organism in an ingested food can result in food poisoning.  Symptoms are abdominal pains, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting 2-5 days after consumption. 
• Other tests performed are: the determination of the presence/absence and/or identification of yeast/moulds, Bacillus cereus, foreign substances in aerated products and fungi.
  
  Government Analytical Services proposes to introduce tests for the presence/absence of Campylobacter sp.

Prerequisites

• Potential clients should deliver samples to the laboratory preferably between 8:15am – 12:00pm.
• Invoices for analysis quoted for less than $100.00 should be paid in full; a 50% deposit should be made for invoices of $100.00 or more.
• Food samples for investigative microbiological analysis should be submitted immediately in its unaltered state.

Steps

1. Submit sample to laboratory. The chain of custody form provided should be completed in duplicate and submitted with the sample. Please view the guidelines for the completion of chain of custody forms.
2. Pay invoice (full or part thereof). Check here for price list and guidelines for payment of fees.

Outcome

1. Analysis is completed within 14 working days for routine samples (21 working days for non-routine samples).
2. A Certificate of Analysis is prepared and the client is notified via email/ telephone.
3. Full payment must be finalised on release of certificate.

Confidentiality

All results and information pertaining to samples submitted to GAS by a customer are held in strict confidence. Written permission must be obtained from the customer or their authorized representative prior to release of this information to any third party.