With the improvement of people's living standards, food safety has gradually become a matter of concern for both the government and the public. Among the issues in food safety, foodborne diseases caused by microbial contamination are the most prominent globally. During food processing, harmful microorganisms often enter food through the production of raw materials, processing of finished products, packaging, and storage, leading to food contamination and affecting consumer safety. Therefore, microbiological testing of food samples plays an extremely important role in assessing food hygiene quality and ensuring dietary hygiene for consumers. Microbiological testing of food samples is one of the important indicators for measuring the hygiene quality of animal and plant-based products and is also one of the scientific bases for determining whether the tested products are fit for consumption.
Generally, microorganisms are divided into two types: those that are harmless to the human body and those that are harmful. In recent years, the worsening of environmental pollution and the continuous destruction of ecological balance have led to an increase in the types of pathogenic bacteria that can infect humans and affect their health. As a result, the threat posed by pathogenic microorganisms to humans has become greater. The variety of harmful microorganisms and their significant danger mean that during microbial testing, certain requirements must be strictly followed to ensure accurate data on harmful microorganisms in food and thus guarantee food safety.
Microbial testing technology for food refers to the use of relevant testing methods to detect various microorganisms in food, identifying and analyzing the quantity and types of microorganisms to find those that are harmful to human health and ensure that the food does not pose a health risk. Microbial testing technology for food samples can effectively inspect the types and quantities of microorganisms in food, ensuring that the food does not spoil and is safe to eat.
Microbiological testing of food samples is an important basis for judging the food processing environment and food safety. As a microbial testing personnel in food testing, one must strictly follow the specified procedures and not arbitrarily change methods during microbial testing.
Microbial testing generally includes the following processes: collecting a small portion of food samples in a sterile environment, homogenizing the samples, diluting the sample solution, inoculating, and then incubating the treated samples at a constant temperature. Finally, the food samples are observed. Microbial testing techniques cover two aspects: basic testing and rapid testing. Basic testing methods are primarily used in research institutions, schools, and other laboratories to inspect and identify the microorganism content and types in air, soil, food, and water. Rapid testing technology, which is highly efficient, fast, and convenient, is widely used in food safety testing and enhances the food safety testing ability.
Microbiological testing of food samples is an indispensable and important part of food safety testing.
It is one of the important indicators for measuring the hygiene quality of food and is also one of the scientific bases for determining whether the tested food is safe to eat.
Through microbiological testing of food samples, the food processing environment and hygiene conditions can be assessed, providing a correct evaluation of the level of bacterial contamination in food, offering a scientific basis for various hygiene management tasks, and providing measures for the prevention of infectious diseases, food poisoning, and zoonotic diseases.
Microbiological testing of food samples emphasizes the "prevention first" hygiene policy, effectively preventing or reducing the incidence of food poisoning and zoonotic diseases, thereby ensuring the health of the population.