The ISO 16654 standard, developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO), describes a horizontal method for the detection of escherichia coli serogroup O157. Subject to the limitations discussed in the introduction to this standard, this standard applies to products intended for human consumption or animal feed.
For the purposes of this standard, the expression escherichia coli O157 refers to microorganisms that form typical colonies on the surface of the coating medium used in this standard and produce indole and agglutinate, especially with antiserum against the O157 antigen.
Since food and feed products are very diverse, this horizontal method is not suitable for some products in every detail. In this case, different methods specific to these products are used if absolutely necessary for justified technical reasons. However, every attempt should be made to apply this horizontal method as much as possible.
If there are international standards or national standards that are not compatible with this horizontal method for certain product groups, when such standards are reviewed, they are modified to comply with the ISO 16654 standard. Thus, in the end, the only remaining deviations from this horizontal method are those necessary for well-known technical reasons.
Escherichia coli O157 causes serious life-threatening diseases and has a low infection dose. Laboratory-acquired infections are common.
Escherichia coli (or E. coli for short) is one of many groups of bacteria that live in the intestines of healthy people and most warm-blooded animals. E. coli bacteria help maintain the balance of the normal gut flora against harmful bacteria and synthesize or produce some vitamins. However, there are hundreds of species or strains of E. coli bacteria. Among these, the E. coli strain known as E. coli O157 causes a serious intestinal infection in humans and is the most common strain causing disease in humans.
Our organization, among the numerous tests, measurements, analyses, and evaluations it provides for businesses in various sectors, also offers horizontal method testing services for the microbiology of food and animal feed and the detection of Escherichia coli O157, in accordance with the ISO 16654 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.
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