Comprehensive microbiological
testing for your food products.
Extensive capabilities for pathogen detection
and investigative studies.
testing for your food products.
Extensive capabilities for pathogen detection
and investigative studies.
FOOD MICROBIOLOGY TESTING (This service is no longer available)
Microbiological testing is a key responsibility of food companies — essential for ensuring brand quality and protecting the public from potentially harmful pathogens.
At Integration Explorations, we provide our clients with extensive testing and development capabilities as well as a vast knowledge base, backed by 40 years of industry experience.
Our microbiological laboratory performs routine testing for all of the typical food pathogens. We also offer rapid detection for select pathogens and a variety of investigative studies to assist with product development, including shelf life testing, identification of contaminating microorganisms, antimicrobial efficacy testing, and sterility verifications.
Food Pathogen Detection
Our food pathogen detection is available for all food types and a wide range of microbiological agents, including common culprits such as E. coli, listeria, and salmonella. We also have the ability to run tests for less common pathogens on request. For our scope of accreditation, click here.
Additional Test Capabilities
- Lactic acid bacteria (quantitative)
- Shigella sp.
- Enterobacteriaceae
- B. cereus
- Clostridium sp.
- Shigella sp.
- Fecal Streptococcus
- Campylobacter sp.
Commonly Requested Tests
- E.coli
- E.coli O157:H7
- E.coli/Total Coliform Counts
- Salmonella sp.
- Listeria sp.
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Aerobic Plate Counts
- Anaerobic Plate Counts
- Yeast and Mould
Listeria Bacteria
Rapid Microbial-Detection Methods
Rapid Microbial-Detection Methods are a quick, precise, and sensitive method for detecting pathogens in food products. These identification methods allow our technicians to achieve test results faster than traditional culture-plate methods — in some cases, we can determine results in a matter of hours, as opposed to days.
Additional microbiological tests are available on request.
If you are uncertain of what testing you need, we can help you select options that are appropriate for your particular food product and ensure regulatory compliance.
Most Common Rapid Tests
- E.coli O157:H7 (MDS)
- Salmonella (MDS)
- Listeria (MDS)
- Listeria monocytogenes (MDS)
- Staphylococcus aureus (3M)
Investigative Studies
If you are looking for a more in-depth analysis of your food products, the team at Integrated Explorations offers a suite of Investigative Studies. Learn more about these below.
To ensure food safety, quality control, and brand trust, it is essential to be able identify the source of microbial contaminants in your production plant — so you can eliminate them. Our team can quickly and accurately trace contaminants by comparing their unique DNA fingerprints to other strains of the same species.
If you’re going to be stocking food products in a grocery store or supermarket, then you need to know how your products and packaging will stand the test of time. During our testing studies, we will simulate a range of temperatures at varying time intervals, so you will be able to make concrete promises, with regard to shelf life, in any situation.
Most food products contain preservatives and disinfectants, designed to protect them from the harmful effects of microbes. Antimicrobial efficacy testing is a key step in assessing the limitations of these agents, by challenging them with specific concentrations of microorganisms and measuring their reduction in numbers, according to specific protocols.
To ensure food safety for the consumer, it is important to ensure that sealed products and their packaging are microbiologically sterile. Our verification process will provide concrete proof of this safeguard, before your products are shipped to market.
If you are developing new methods for your food production facility, then these tests will sometimes need to be customized and verified for routine use. Our team can help you adapt and modify existing procedures to meet your specific needs.
Natural health products & nutraceuticals are often at risk of spoilage and contamination from pathogens. Our team offers standard USP test methods to verify the safety of these types of products, as well as conducting antibacterial activity and antimicrobial efficacy testing.