Microbiology

Measuring cronobacter in infant formula powder

Laboratory equipment spotlight

Measuring cronobacter in infant formula powder

By Rick Pendrous

A new molecular detection method for cronobacter – a pathogen often found in powdered infant formula that can cause fatal infections – has been introduced by 3M Food Safety. It is claimed to save two-to-four days during the testing process.

Rapid tests under the microscope

Laboratory equipment spotlight

Rapid tests under the microscope

By Rick Pendrous

Rapid testing techniques are becoming more widely used in food microbiology laboratories as part of the drive to produce faster and more accurate results. 

Sampling preparation for FSA's campylobacter study

Sampling preparation for FSA's campylobacter study

Stomacher paddle blenders and accessories from supplier Seward have been used in the preparation of samples for microbiological analysis as part of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA’s) latest UK-wide study into the levels of campylobacter contamination...

The FSA has made a number of appointments to its Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food

FSA restructures microbiology committee

By Laurence Gibbons

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has made a number of appointments to its Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF).

Social media, such as Twitter, is proving useful for investigating food poisoning outbreaks

Twitter helped probe into food poisoning outbreak

By Rick Pendrous

Social media is increasingly being used to identify the sources of food poisoning, following its use by investigators from Public Health England (PHE) to narrow down a large multiple pathogen outbreak at an outdoor food festival in Newcastle upon Tyne...

Viral message

Viral message

By Chloe Ryan

The discovery last November that more than three-quarters of British oysters contained norovirus highlighted an anomaly in the food testing industry.

Silver lining for poultry cloud

Silver lining for poultry cloud

A recent trial has shown that protecting chicken crates with antimicrobial silver can help reduce the risk of Campylobacter cross-contamination...