Salmonella
Salmonella testing
Controlling Salmonella is essential to ensure food safety and requires reliable analytical methods. Our Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories offer a wide range of solutions, from trace detection to quantification, to guarantee regulatory compliance and protect consumers from numerous foodborne illnesses.
Key services
- Standardised method ISO 6579-1: “Pre-enrichment and selective enrichment in liquid medium”
- Chromogenic methods (IRIS, Rapid’Salmonella, Neogen, etc.)
- Immunological methods (VIDAS, BACSpec, Solus, etc.): Enable automated testing and eliminate operator reading
- PCR method (BACGene): Provides very rapid detection results. Particularly suitable when a rapid absence result is needed, for example to release a production batch.
A common cause of foodborne outbreaks
The Salmonella bacterium can cause an infection called salmonellosis. It is a zoonosis, meaning it can be transmitted directly or indirectly between animals and humans. Usually, salmonellosis initially manifests as gastroenteritis, but the Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi strains cause enteric fevers. In infants and immunocompromised individuals, salmonellosis can become very severe or even fatal.
Egg products, dairy, and undercooked meats most affected
Salmonella is commonly found in the intestines of healthy animals, especially birds and mammals. Contamination risks are higher in the following products:
- Raw or undercooked eggs and egg-based products
- Dairy products (especially raw or lightly pasteurised milk)
- Undercooked meats (beef, pork, poultry)
- Any improperly stored foods that can also harbour the bacteria
Animal feed: a real contamination risk
Animal feed also carries risk. In 2020, 102 cases of Salmonella contamination in animal feed were reported in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). Contaminated pet food (e.g. dog treats) can pose a danger to animals and humans, especially children, through cross-contamination.
Legal bases and guidelines
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 (microbiological criteria for foodstuffs)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 (laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption)
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 (temporary increase of official controls and emergency measures governing the entry into the Union of certain goods from certain third countries)
Get in touch
Would you like to find out more about our testing solutions, or do you need tailored analytical support? Contact us today to get in touch with our experts.