ISO 7218 is an essential standard to be used in conjunction with all ISO standardized reference methods for microbiological examinations carried out in the food chain. These include testing of food products, animal feeds, environmental samples in the area of food/feed production and handling, as well as samples from the primary production stage.
Learn more about it in this article.
ISO 7218 details the relevant aspects of good laboratory practice for food microbiology laboratories.
ISO 7218 includes both general requirements and guidance, especially for users of all standardized reference methods prepared by ISO/TC 34/SC 9 ‘Food products – Microbiology’ and for microbiological methods prepared by ISO/TC 34/SC 5 – IDF ‘Milk and milk products’. It deals with the detection, enumeration and confirmation of specific microorganisms. The standard covers testing for bacteria, yeasts and moulds and can be used, if supplemented with specific guidance, for parasites, viruses and bacterial toxins. The requirements supersede those of specific standards published before the current version of ISO 7218.
This standard also provides guidance for food microbiology laboratories on the technical requirements for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
Sections are included on premises, personnel, equipment, sampling and examination, types of methods (enumeration, detection and confirmation), calculations and reporting, as well as some general information on method validation/verification and quality assurance.
The standard is currently under revision. It is expected that the revised ISO 7218 will be available in early 2024 (public enquiry (ISO/DIS 7218) first half of 2022). You can obtain more information by contacting your national standards body.
Supporting material
Colony count techniques (CCT) calculator available here, and the verification report is available here.
MPN Calculator for 10 g test portions is available here. Guidance on the use of the 10 g calculator is also given here.
MPN Calculator for 100 g test portions is available here and the verification document here. Protocol on the use of the 100 g calculator is also given here .