Food microbiology
NationWide Laboratories is an ISO 17025 UKAS accredited diagnostic laboratory which has offered Microbiological Testing since 1996. Microbiological contamination is a serious safety issue in many industries, as it can lead to a wide range of diseases causing potential safety issues. Legislation makes it a requirement for all food businesses to guarantee continued safety of their food products through the supply chain, making it vital that high quality testing is part of that process. At NationWide Laboratories we offer microbiological food testing to detect food borne pathogens and spoilage organisms as well as a wide range of microbiological services including environmental, water, pool hydrotherapy and equipment hygiene testing. The close nature of our relationship with our clients means that we can create personalised test packages based on your requirements and our skilled team of microbiologists will work to provide reliable accurate results, helping you to ensure consumer safety.
Sample Types
We currently test a variety of food samples including ice cream, juices and flavours, meat, mushrooms, milk, biscuits, fresh produce including cress and beansprouts, smoked salmon, crabs, whelks, cheese and swabs.
Our range of test methods comply with industry standards and are designed to meet your requirements.

Food
Detection of:
Listeria spp including species identification
Salmonella spp
Enumeration of:
Bacillus cereus (presumptive)
Coliforms (presumptive)
Clostridium perfringens and sulphite reducing bacteria
Enterobacteriaceae (presumptive)
Enterococci
Escherichia coli (beta glucuronidase positive)
Listeria spp including species identification
Total Aerobic Colony Count at 30⁰C
Yeasts and Moulds
Pseudomonas species (presumptive)
Staphylococcus aureus
Lactic Acid Bacteria
Escherichia coli 0157

Environmental Swabs
Detection of:
Listeria spp including species identification
Salmonella spp
Enumeration of:
Bacillus cereus (presumptive)
Coliforms (presumptive)
Enterobacteriaceae (presumptive)
Enterococci
Escherichia coli (beta glucuronidase positive)
Listeria spp including species identification
Staphylococcus aureus
Total Aerobic Colony Count at 30⁰C
Yeasts and Moulds
Pseudomonas species (presumptive)

Potable Water
Enumeration of:
Coliforms (total)
Escherichia coli
Presumptive Enterococci
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Total Aerobic Colony Count at 22⁰C and 37⁰C
Sulphite reducing clostridia and Clostridium perfringens (sporulated)

Additional Tests and Services
Campylobacter
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Legionella
Phosphatase
Water activity
pH foods
Salt over aqueous
Oil/Fat
Nutritional analysis
Various allergen testing
Pool hydrotherapy: Total viable count, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Coliforms
Equipment and facilities hygiene: including Enterobacteriaceae, Coliforms and Total viable count
Hand swabs: monitoring for Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacteriaceae
Legal requirements and industry guidelines
The requirements below are the extracts from the relevant industry guidelines.
Working with us
At NationWide Laboratories we pride ourselves in the quality of our service. A team of experienced food microbiology scientists are working with you and your samples to provide a tailored report to suit your needs. We know and value each of our customers.
We will create a personalised test package for you based on your individual requirements.If you have any queries you are guaranteed to speak to our advisor, who will handle your enquiry in a personal, professional and efficient manner. We are committed to delivering excellence and will add value to your business.