Our food microbiology testing lab boasts 32 SANAS accredited methods in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and employs the services of qualified scientists and technicians.
We conduct a full range of Microbiological analyses on raw foodstuffs, cosmetics, ingredients, processed foods and food service products, for both human and animal consumption. We test surface swabs, hand swabs and water samples. We are able to collect or perform the sampling through our hygiene consultants.
We constantly strive to extend our scope of testing to fulfil the needs of our clients and introduce methods and high-tech instruments to reduce the turnaround times of results. FCS makes use of the VIDAS® immunoassay system, which offers rapid and accurate detection of food pathogens in South Africa.
For a list of our SANAS accredited testing schedule:
Food and Swab Microbiology
Accredited for the enumeration of:
Standard Plate Count
Anaerobic Plate Count
Yeasts and Moulds
Staphylococcus aureus
Enterobacteriaceae
Lactobacillus
Campylobacter spp.
Coliforms
Bacillus cereus
Listeria monocytogenes
Clostridium perfringens
Accredited for the detection of:
These tests are important in detecting the presence of food pathogens in food. These are used for testing ready-to-eat foods.
Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Escherichia coli O157:H7
Listeria monocytogenes
Escherichia coli
Coliforms
Salmonella
Vibrio
Bacillus cereus
Rapid Food and Swab Microbiology
FCS is Accredited for the detection of the below bacteria in Food Microbiology Testing in South Africa:
Use of The VIDAS methods provides us with rapid results in detecting the presence of food pathogens.
VIDAS Easy Salmonella (SLM)
VIDAS UP Salmonella (SPT)
VIDAS UP E.coli O157 including H7
VIDAS Campylobacter spp.
VIDAS Listeria monocytogenes II (LM02)
Water Microbiology
Accredited for the enumeration of:
The safety of drinking water is essential to our everyday lives. At FCS we test potable water and ice to ensure that this precious resource is safe to be consumed.
Standard Plate Count
Coliforms
Escherichia coli
Yeasts and Moulds
Cosmetic Microbiology
Accredited for the enumeration of:
Cosmetic microbiology is important in testing safety as well as the effectiveness of the added preservatives.
Standard Plate Count
Yeasts and Moulds
Additional Special Testing
We offer shelf-life testing that determines how long a product can be kept at the specified conditions before the product is no longer safe for consumption. This is how the use by or expiry dates are determined.
Anti-microbial efficacy and zone inhibition testing helps determine how effective a sanitiser or disinfectant is against killing bacteria and moulds.
Shelf Life Determination (using accredited methods)
Anti-Microbial Efficacy
Zone Inhibition