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RapidREF 80271
Organism · Solutions
Enterobacteriaceae testing
Enterobacteriaceae has become the preferred hygiene indicator in most modern specifications — broader than coliforms, better defined, and more reliable as evidence that a process is under control.
Rose-pink colonies · VRBG agarWhy Enterobacteriaceae testing is demanding
Enterobacteriaceae is a defined taxonomic family, which is precisely why it has displaced coliforms in many specifications. Coliforms are defined by a behaviour — lactose fermentation — that not all relevant organisms exhibit; Enterobacteriaceae captures the family regardless, giving a more consistent indicator across matrices and laboratories.
In practice it is used the same way: as a quantitative measure of process hygiene, particularly after a lethality step. A rising Enterobacteriaceae count following pasteurisation or cooking points to post-process contamination, inadequate cleaning, or a failure in the lethality step itself.
The dairy sector in particular relies on it heavily, where it functions as the primary post-pasteurisation control indicator. Its value is in the trend, not the single result — which puts a premium on media that perform consistently lot to lot.
- Role
- Hygiene indicator
- Result type
- Enumeration
- Reference method
- ISO 21528-2
- Result
- 24 h
Methods compared
Routine post-process verification — the practical options.
- Traditional · ISO 21528-2Colony-count enumeration
Colony-count technique on violet red bile glucose agar. The reference method where an Enterobacteriaceae count is specified.
Time to result24 h - RapidReady-to-use plates
Ready-poured formats for the high routine volume post-process verification generates, with counts comparable to the reference method.
Time to result24 h - MolecularRarely required
Molecular methods add little here: the indicator is quantitative by design and culture enumeration remains faster and more economical at routine volumes.
Time to resultNot typical
Consistency between lots matters more than speed — this indicator is read as a trend.
Ask usProducts for Enterobacteriaceae testing
A selection spanning culture media, rapid formats and molecular assays. The full range is in the catalogue.
Standards & compliance
The references an Enterobacteriaceae programme is measured against.
- ISO 21528-2
- Horizontal method for the detection and enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae — colony-count technique.
- ISO 21528-1
- The MPN counterpart, applied where expected counts are low or the matrix is unsuited to colony counting.
- SFDA
- Supplied through an SFDA-licensed establishment, aligned to Kingdom requirements for the matrices you test.
- ISO/IEC 17025
- Suitable for accredited laboratories, with lot documentation and traceability available on request.
Sourced from the brands your methods are built on.
Testing for Enterobacteriaceae?
Tell us your matrix and how fast you need a release decision — we'll recommend the method and respond with pricing, availability and lead time.