Food Microbiology Testing Services – Wickham Laboratories

Potential pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can be frequently be isolated from raw meats. However, their presence on ready to eat foods can have serious public health consequences. Wickham Laboratories offer a range of detection and enumeration tests for all of today's food poisoning bacteria of concern.

Find out more about food pathogen testing

...that have long been used as indicators of food production hygiene and for monitoring post-processing contamination. An indicator organism is one that is readily cultivated in the laboratory at minimal cost and with speed, and the presence of which could indicate that pathogens may also be present. Indicator organisms such as coliforms are heat sensitive and their presence in cooked products suggests post-process contamination. Wickham Laboratories possesses the capabilities to test a variety of food types for coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli.

Find out more about testing by enumeration methods

In the majority of cases, spoilage is as a direct result of micro-organism growth. At refrigeration temperatures it is Pseudomonas and related bacteria that are chiefly responsible for meats and fresh produce spoilage. Wickham Laboratories can advise on how your product is likely to be affected before undertaking laboratory testing.

Find out more about testing by enumeration methods

...provided in a durability date by way of a Best Before or Use By date. Products displaying a use by date are most likely to be spoiled by the growth of bacteria. Our Shelf Life Testing Services aim to provide an uncomplicated route to determining your shelf life. We work with our clients to understand key requirements for shelf life as well as key parameters concerning a products ingredients, acidity and water activity, as well as intended storage instructions and final use. Our shelf life testing protocols are constructed to provide our clients with the most cost effective route to determining the shelf life both in terms of product quality and safety.

Enquire about determining shelf life

Dirty equipment, hands or surfaces will lead to product contamination. Cleaning schedules are a must for every food producer but how can we be sure that a surface that is visually clean is microbiologically clean? At Wickham Laboratories we can advise and supply appropriate swabs for the detection or enumeration of both pathogens and hygiene indicator organisms. Our services are also suitable for meat carcass swabbing.

Discover more about environmental swabbing

...but are also approved by DEFRA for the purposes of testing for Salmonella to the Animal By Product Regulations 2005. We routinely test animal feeds, pet foods, composts and animal waste to an approved method.

View our DEFRA approval listing

...after all many products will use water as an ingredient or to aid product washing. Additionally, water is used for all cleaning activities from hands through to plant. Potable Water Testing at Wickham Laboratories is performed to an exacting standard by our Pharmaceutical Microbiology facility in compliance with Good Laboratory Practice systems.

Whether the demand is for a basic fat content on mince meat, or full nutritional analysis including omega fats, we oversee the complete process, using a range of carefully selected laboratories specialising in particular chemistry disciplines. We also cater for environmental testing including waters and soils, as well as sourcing pesticide testing. Because of our buying power, our rates are competitive and a range of turnaround times can be provided to suit budgets and deadlines.

Make an enquiry regarding your chemistry requirements

...fulfilling orders at the last minute and responding to customer needs in an instant. Likewise our collection service takes the worry out of ensuring samples are despatched and reach the laboratory in perfect condition. We have teamed up with a temperature controlled logistics specialist to provide controlled transport of samples. All vehicles are fitted with temperature logging data for that extra reassurance. Our service extends to the M25 circle through into central London, and covers much of the south, including Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, East & West Sussex, Kent, Middlesex and Berkshire. Routine collection is included in the test price.

Click here to enquire whether you are within our collection area

It is therefore essential to extract as much information as possible from laboratory data. At Wickham Laboratories we provide data interpretation services to trend customer results in a ready-to-present format. If you struggle with your KPI data analysis and need to impress at the monthly management meeting, we can offer a seamless service from lab testing through to data presentation and charting to your requirements.

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...it is refreshing to be able to discuss testing requirements or results with a microbiologist rather than a Customer Services representative. We have built a reputation for ensuring qualified food microbiologists are on hand to explain food testing results or to help you understand your situation. At Wickham Laboratories, expert advice for a bespoke level of support is always available.

Find out more about understanding microbiology results

...ensuring an understanding of the testing that they pay for naturally has led us to offer tailor made training programme. Our principal Food Microbiologist can offer HACCP training, hygiene refresher training, and food microbiology courses to suit the novice, through to those with a Degree level of microbiology understanding. These courses can be held at your location or on site at Wickham Laboratories. If you have a desire to advance the microbiology understanding of your QA team in a cost effective means contact us to see how we can assist

Enquire about microbiology-related food training