11.9 Food Sampling - Microbiological

Resources

• Microbial Guidelines for Ready to Eat Foods
• Guidelines for the Microbiological Examination of Ready to Eat Foods
• Pathwest Food and Water Laboratories

Summary Information

Microbiological sampling is conducted to test for pathogens in food products, this may be done in response to a complaint or to obtain further information about a premises (E.g. to determine temperature abuse, inadequate hand washing etc).

There is no minimum size for pathology sampling however if in doubt about a particular product confer with the Food Labs on 9346 2169. As an example, if sampling ready to eat sandwiches, the whole sandwich should be purchased and sent for analysis. Phone ahead to advise of large food samples or samples received late in the day – late samples can be kept in the fridge and sent the next day but they must be received within 24 hours. Microbiological samples are sent to Pathwest laboratories at the QEII Medical Centre on Hospital Avenue in Nedlands.

Example Forms

• PathWest Food Sampling F Form

Process Flow Chart

• Microbiological Food Sampling Procedures

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