Food microbiology

Food microbiology

To discuss your needs

Microbiological food spoilage and food poisoning are two of the major concerns of most food companies. Preventing food poisoning and reducing or delaying spoilage are priorities for all manufacturers and retailers. At Campden BRI, we offer microbiology testing. As well as routine microbiological analysis to determine levels of microorganisms in foods, we can identify what the organisms are, and whether they will affect the shelf-life of the food, as well as investigating the source of any contamination problems. We can evaluate real factory scenarios in our newly commissioned Microbiology Process Hall, and can also offer advice if you have a problem with virus contamination.

We also have expertise in the response of microorganisms to food processing regimes (e.g. washing, heating, high pressure), and can advise on how changes to ingredients, packaging and processing as part of product development might affect microbial shelf-life - identifying the hazards and risks of each situation.

For those companies with in-house microbiological, and chemistry, testing facilities, we can offer advice on which methods to use, as well as on laboratory design, with laboratory approval/certification available through CLAS, the Campden Laboratory Approval Scheme. And our relaunched Campden Microbiology Proficiency Scheme will help you assess how good your laboratory analyses are.

Does your laboratory undertake pathogen tests for M&S plc and/or Tesco plc? It will need to participate in the Campden BRI Retailer supplementary audit (RSA) scheme to meet these retailers' requirements

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Key services

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

Environmental testing and prevention to help the food industry control SARS-CoV-2.

Microbiological analysis and testing

Microbiological analysis and testing

Covering pathogens, spoilage organisms, and indicator organisms

Microbiological specifications

Microbiological specifications

Pre-set criteria that are used to verify HACCP and good practices.

Contamination incidents

Contamination incidents

Situation analysis and establish why it occurred.

Microbiological shelf life

Microbiological shelf-life

Product safety, retaining sensory, microbiological and chemical characteristics.

Challenge testing

Challenge testing

A practical study to determine the behaviour of relevant organisms.

Predictive microbiology

Predictive microbiology

Computer simulation of the growth of microorganisms.

Shelf-life testing

Shelf-life testing

A complete service which can incorporate sensory and chemical analysis.

Microorganism identification

Microorganism identification

A key part of the management of food safety and quality

Rapid microbiological methods

Rapid microbiological methods

Advice on most suitable methods for use.

Microbiological methods evaluation

Microbiological methods evaluation

Evaluating microbiological methods, validation and interpretation.

Microbiological risk assessment

Microbiological risk assessment

Helping to guide clients through the complex evaluation process.

Laboratory design

Laboratory design

Expertise in issues relating to microbiology laboratories.

Processing to remove microorganisms

Processing to remove microorganisms

Advice on different heating regimes.

Heat resistance

Heat resistance

Determine whether the process you are using will be sufficient to achieve your aims.

Detection and control of foodborne viruses

Detection and control of foodborne viruses

Foodborne viruses are a safety challenge for a range of foods.

How good is your microbiology laboratory?

How good is your microbiology laboratory?

Our newly upgraded Proficiency Scheme.

Retailer supplementary audit scheme

Retailer supplementary audit scheme

Independent laboratory audit required by M&S/Tesco.

Microbiology training courses

Explore our microbiology related courses including; Understanding microbiology for non microbiologists and Setting shelf life: how to do it better

View courses

Are you getting the most from your Membership?

Watch our membership FAQ videos and find out more about Member Service Account spending, Member Interest Groups, help and advice

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Where we refer to UKAS Accreditation

The Campden BRI group companies listed below are accredited in accordance with the recognised International Standard ISO17025:2017 by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The accreditation demonstrates technical competence for a defined scope of methods, specific to each site, as detailed in the schedules of accreditation bearing the testing laboratory number. The schedules may be revised from time to time and reissued by UKAS. The most recent issue of the schedules are available from the UKAS website www.ukas.com. Campden BRI (Chipping Campden) Limited is a UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 1079

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