Overview
ISO 24914:2026 - Microbiology of the Food Chain - Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for the Detection of Microorganisms and Associated Genetic Markers - General Requirements and Definitions provides guidance on the use of LAMP methods within the food chain. This international standard details the general requirements, laboratory practices, and definitions necessary for the accurate detection of microorganisms and their genetic markers-such as antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors-using LAMP technology.
Applicable to all platforms, laboratories, and sample types from the food chain, ISO 24914:2026 supports food safety testing by enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of LAMP, a rapid nucleic acid amplification technique. This standard does not address quantification applications, nor does it cover the validation or verification of LAMP methods (which are detailed in other standards such as the ISO 16140 series and ISO 17468).
Key Topics
Core requirements of ISO 24914:2026 include:
- General laboratory guidance: Recommendations for layout, workflow, and contamination prevention, particularly for both laboratory and non-laboratory (field) settings.
- Sample preparation and nucleic acid extraction: Steps for obtaining nucleic acids suitable for LAMP analysis while minimizing inhibitors.
- Use of process and amplification controls: Implementation of positive and negative controls, as well as internal/external amplification controls to ensure result validity.
- Isothermal amplification principles: Guidance on the LAMP process, including primer use, temperature management, and signal detection strategies.
- Data interpretation: Instructions for assessing LAMP results, especially regarding the interpretation of controls and test portions.
- Performance characteristics: Reference to ISO 16140 and other standards for method performance assessment (sensitivity, specificity, robustness).
Applications
ISO 24914:2026 is applicable across the food chain, including:
- Human food products: Effective for detecting pathogens and genetic markers in products designed for human consumption.
- Animal feed: Suitable for the analysis of animal feed, ensuring feed safety and biosecurity.
- Environmental samples: Enables testing in food and feed production areas, such as surfaces, water, or ingredients, to monitor cleanliness and contamination.
- Primary production samples: Useful for examining samples from farms or the early stages of food production.
Industries and organizations that will benefit include:
- Food and beverage manufacturers
- Feed producers
- Agricultural and environmental testing labs
- Regulatory agencies responsible for food safety
- Research organizations focused on food microbiology
LAMP is especially valuable due to its rapid amplification capability, minimal equipment requirements, and suitability for both laboratory and on-site field testing.
Related Standards
Several international standards are referenced in ISO 24914:2026 for comprehensive coverage of microbiological testing in the food chain:
- ISO 16140 series: Method validation and verification in food microbiology.
- ISO 17468: Quality control procedures for microbiology laboratories.
- ISO 22174: Requirements and definitions for PCR in microorganism detection.
- ISO 22942-1: General requirements for isothermal amplification methods, including LAMP.
- ISO 6887 series: Preparation of test samples and suspensions for microbiological examination.
- ISO 7218: General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations.
- ISO 20836: Performance testing for thermal cyclers used in PCR.
- ISO 22118: Performance characteristics for PCR-based detection and quantification of food-borne pathogens.
Adhering to ISO 24914:2026 and its related standards ensures robust, reliable, and harmonized LAMP testing across the food industry, supporting global food safety and public health initiatives.