Microbiological Testing of Food in India — NABL & FSSAI Accredited
Microbiological testing of food detects and quantifies bacterial, fungal, and pathogenic contamination that causes foodborne illness, spoilage, and regulatory non-compliance. Auriga Research provides NABL-accredited and FSSAI-approved microbiological food testing for manufacturers, exporters, importers, and food business operators (FBOs) from laboratories in Bangalore, Delhi, Gurugram, Baddi, and Bahadurgarh.
FSSAI's Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 prescribe microbiological limits for all major food categories. Non-compliance results in product rejection, licence suspension, and market recalls. Our testing covers the complete parameter panel required for FSSAI licensing, surveillance audits, export certification, and third-party food safety assessments.
We use validated microbiological methods conforming to IS, ISO, and APHA standards, with all confirmatory identifications performed using selective and differential media, biochemical profiling, and where required, PCR-based molecular confirmation. Our laboratory maintains strict sample-handling protocols and chain-of-custody records to ensure data integrity for regulatory submissions.
Microbiological Tests Performed
Each organism is mapped to the FSSAI / IS / ISO context so QA and regulatory teams can match scope to the applicable food category at a glance.
Total Plate Count
General hygiene indicator — aerobic plate count, CFU/g.
Total Coliform Count
Faecal contamination indicator group (Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, E. coli).
Escherichia coli
Specific faecal contamination marker per IS / ISO selective media.
Pathogenic E. coli
O157:H7, STEC, and EPEC by rapid PCR confirmation.
Salmonella spp.
Absence testing required in most food categories per FSSAI.
Listeria monocytogenes
Mandatory for ready-to-eat (RTE) and dairy products.
Staphylococcus aureus
Including enterotoxin testing for cooked and RTE foods.
Yeast & Mould
Spoilage and mycotoxin-risk indicator.
Enterobacteriaceae
Hygiene indicator for processed foods.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Packaged drinking water and dairy testing.
Bacillus cereus
Rice, cereal, and starch-based products.
Clostridium perfringens
Meat, poultry, and cooked products.
Campylobacter
Poultry and meat products.
Cronobacter sakazakii
Critical pathogen in infant formula (zero tolerance per 10 g).
Challenge Studies
Inoculation and growth modelling for shelf-life claim substantiation.
Food Categories We Test
How It Works
Get a Quote
Share your product type and the parameters you need tested. Your dedicated SPOC will confirm the testing scope, the applicable method, and the exact sample quantity required for your specific panel before you dispatch anything.
Send Your Sample
Dispatch your sample with a completed Test Request Form to the nearest Auriga lab. Each sample is individually bar coded and registered in YLIMS, Auriga's in-house Laboratory Information Management System, upon receipt. Testing begins within 24 hours of sample registration.
Testing and QA Review
Your sample is tested against the confirmed validated method by Auriga's scientific team. Every result passes through a formal internal QA review and sign-off before the report is generated.
Receive Your NABL Report
Your NABL-accredited test report is delivered digitally within the committed turnaround time. Reports carry Auriga's NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and are accepted by FSSAI, APEDA, EIC, and major international buyers. You can track your sample status in real time through YLIMS at any point in the process.
Turnaround Time
| Test | Standard TAT | Express |
|---|---|---|
| TPC, Coliform, Yeast & Mould | 5–7 business days | Available |
| Salmonella (culture) | 5–7 business days | On request |
| Listeria monocytogenes | 5–7 business days | On request |
| Pathogen PCR (rapid panel) | 24–48 hours | Standard |
| Shelf-life / challenge study | 28+ days (protocol-dependent) | — |