Food Microbiology Testing

FSNS provides food microbiology testing services that support food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. Our laboratories perform validated qualitative and quantitative assays using FDA-BAM, USDA, AOAC, Compendium, APHA, ISO, USP, and other methods. Through our ISO 17025-accredited national laboratory network, we deliver reliable results with flexible turnaround options to match your operational and regulatory requirements.

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FSNS provides food microbiology testing at these lab locations across North America.

National Network of Food Microbiology Labs

In partnership with Certified Laboratories, our fellow Certified Group company, FSNS operates more than 30 ISO 17025-accredited microbiology food testing labs across North America. This national footprint ensures convenient access to comprehensive microbiological tests for food samples that support your product safety and quality programs.

View All Of Our Laboratory Locations

Qualitative
Food Microbiology Testing for Pathogens

Our qualitative pathogen testing services support product test-and-hold programs and environmental monitoring for food and beverage manufacturers. Standard methods are listed below. Additional organisms or matrices can be accommodated upon request.

  • Campylobacter spp.
  • Candida albicans
  • Cronobacter sakazakii
  • Cyclospora cayetanensis
  • Escherichia coli O157:H7
  • “Top 6” Non–O157 STEC
  • Hepatatis A
  • Listeria monocytogenes
  • Listeria spp.
  • Norovirus
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Salmonella spp.
  • Shigella spp.
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Vibrio spp.
  • Yersinia enterocolitica

Quantitative
Food Microbiology Testing for Pathogens

Our quantitative microbiological food testing services measure indicator organisms, pathogens, and spoilage organisms in foods, beverages, and production environments. These results support process control, risk assessment, and shelf-life management. Additional methods are available upon request.

  • Aerobic/Anaerobic Plate Counts
  • Bacillus cereus
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Coliform Counts (Total, Fecal)
  • Enterobacteriaceae Count
  • Gas Forming Anaerobes
  • Generic Escherichia coli Count
  • Gram Negative Bile Tolerant
  • Heat Resistant Mold Count
  • Heterotrophic Plate Count
  • Heterofermentative Lactic Acid Bacteria Count
  • Lactic Acid Bacteria Count
  • Mesophilic Aerobic/Anaerobic Spore Count
  • Osmophilic Yeast and Mold Count
  • Proteolytic Bacteria Count
  • Pseudomonas spp.
  • Psychrotrophic Plate Count
  • Rapid Aerobic Plate Count
  • Rapid Coliform Count
  • Rapid Yeast and Mold Count
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Streptococcus spp. Counts (Total, Fecal)
  • Sulfide Reducing Sporeformers
  • Thermophilic Aerobic/Anaerobic Bacteria Counts
  • Thermophilic Aerobic/Anaerobic Spore Counts
  • Yeast and Mold Counts

Microbial Toxins

Our microbiology food testing labs perform microbial toxin testing to support food safety risk assessment and regulatory compliance, including the following analytes:

Aflatoxins EIA (Total)

Aflatoxins HPLC

Bacillus cereus Diarrheal Toxin 

Ochratoxin A

Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxins 

Special Microbiology Testing Services Available

We provide advanced microbiology testing services that extend beyond routine methods to support validation, investigation, and continuous improvement activities.

FSNS Lab+, our contract research division, specializes in custom research projects to enhance your Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) and other safety and quality programs. 

  • Antimicrobial Effectiveness Studies (USP 51) 
  • Bacterial and Fungal Identifications 
  • Bacterial and Fungal Strain Typing 
  • Challenge Studies
  • GMO Detection and Quantification
  • Meat Speciation 
  • Microbial Serology 
  • Process Validations 
  • Shelf-Life Studies 
  • USP Suitability and Preparatory Testing 

Full Range of Microbiology Test Methods for Food & Beverage Products

Our labs use both traditional cultural methods and rapid detection methods for food microbiology testing, including (not limited to) VIDAS, GDS, BAX, GENE-UP, MDS, and iQ-Check. These rapid methods help you obtain information faster to keep your operations on schedule. 

Our technical specialists can help you select the most appropriate methods based on sample type, target organisms, and regulatory objectives.

Food Sample Types for Microbiology Testing

FSNS performs microbiology testing across a wide range of food and ingredient matrices. If your product is not listed, our team can evaluate it for method suitability.

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Animal Feed
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Bakery & Baked Goods
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Beverages
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Candy & Confectioners
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Condiments/Dressings/Oils
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Dietary Supplement/Ingredients
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Egg Products
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Fruit/Vegetables Grains & Cereals
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Meat & Poultry Milk/Dairy
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Nuts
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Pet Food
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Processed Foods RTE
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Seafood/Shellfish
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Spices/Ingredients

  • Animal Feed 
  • Bakery & Baked Goods 
  • Beverages 
  • Candy & Confectioners 
  • Condiments/Dressings/Oils 
  • Dietary Supplement/Ingredients
  • Egg Products 
  • Fruit/Vegetables
  • Grains & Cereals 
  • Meat & Poultry
  • Milk/Dairy 
  • Nuts 
  • Pet Food 
  • Processed Foods
  • RTE 
  • Seafood/Shellfish 
  • Spices/Ingredients