Microbiology and Food Testing
Tests water and food for indicator organisms and pathogens, performs shelf life and challenge studies and runs sensory and compositional food analyses. The section operates in a separate suite with restricted access, prepares its own culture media, controls cross-contamination through strict aseptic technique and holds an on-call roster for urgent client results.
What the team is accountable for
- Prepare, sterilise and quality check culture media
- Perform membrane filtration, plate count and pathogen detection tests
- Maintain aseptic technique and biosafety cabinet certification
- Incubate, read and confirm cultures within method time limits
- Decontaminate and dispose of biological waste
How we know it is working
Who works here
Hamish McLeod
Manages the microbiology suite, the media kitchen and the weekend on-call roster, and joined Veritas as a microbiologist in 2013.
Where the work is recorded
Sample Register
The laboratory information register of every sample received, its matrix, tests, storage, holding time and progress from receipt to reported.
Equipment and Calibration Register
Lists every item of measuring and testing equipment with its calibration interval, last and next calibration, verification checks and service status.
Nonconformance and Corrective Action Register
Records every nonconformance, out of control result, deviation, complaint and audit finding with its evaluation, root cause, corrective action and closure.