The standards and regulations on microbiological testing in food

Microbiological testing in food plays an important role in assuring food safety and protecting consumer health. The legal standards and regulations related to food microbiological testing are usually based on national and international standards. Below are the common regulations and standards.

16 February 20252 min read

1. Vietnam-specific regulations

* The Food Safety Law

- Law No. 55/2010/QH12: general provisions on food safety, including microbiological testing so that food poses no danger to health.

- Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP: details the implementation of several articles of the Food Safety Law.

* The national technical regulation (QCVN)

- QCVN 8-1:2011/BYT: sets the maximum levels of harmful microorganisms in food.

- QCVN 8-3-2012/BYT: the regulation on microbiological contamination in drinking water and beverages.

* Circulars

- Circular 19/2012/TT-BYT: guides the declaration of applicable standards for food.

- Circular 48/2015/TT-BYT: governs testing and the publication of food microbiological test results.

2. International standards

* ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

ISO standards are widely applied, including:

- ISO 4833: quantitative enumeration of aerobic microorganisms by colony count.

- ISO 6579: detection of Salmonella spp. in food.

- ISO 6579: detection and enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes.

* HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)

- The hazard analysis and critical control point system aims to ensure food safety across the entire production chain.

- Applied under the regulations of many countries and international organizations such as FAO and WHO.

* Codex Alimentarius

The international food code built by FAO and WHO, including standards for microbiological limits in food.

3. The microbiological testing methods

Some commonly regulated microbiological testing methods:

- Total aerobic bacteria testing: the plate count method.

- Detection of pathogenic bacteria: Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes.

- Yeast and mold testing: the culture method, the Compact Dry plate method, or the use of specialized media.

- Using rapid technologies: the PCR method, the ELISA method, Compact Dry (as users have mentioned), to shorten testing time.

4. Laboratory-related regulations

- ISO/IEC 17025: the international standard for laboratory competence.

- Circular 49/2011/TT-BYT: governs biosafety conditions in microbiology laboratories.

5. Requirements for food producers

- Self-testing: food producers and traders in Vietnam must test their products regularly and comply with the law.

- Declaration of conformity with regulations and standards: based on test results, to ensure products meet the standards.

Complying with the standards and regulations for microbiological testing in food is mandatory to assure quality and food safety. Businesses need to keep updating the legislation continuously and apply advanced testing technologies to meet the demands of the market and consumers.