Overview
EN 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 establishes the essential criteria and terminology for applying LAMP in food chain microbiology. LAMP is a rapid, robust molecular technique used to identify microorganisms and their genetic markers, such as antimicrobial resistance or virulence genes. This European Standard, developed by CEN in collaboration with ISO, is applicable to all LAMP methods, platforms, and food chain items or environments where microbiological detection is required.
This document is intended for use in laboratories, food producers, and inspection bodies involved in monitoring food safety and quality, as well as those responsible for animal feed and the environmental management of food production and handling. It provides guidance for developing and implementing qualitative LAMP assays but does not address quantification or method validation/verification, which is covered by the ISO 16140 series and ISO 17468.
Key Topics
- Scope and Applicability
- Specifies requirements for the detection (not quantification) of microorganisms and genetic markers using LAMP.
- Covers the entire food chain, including human and animal food products, environmental samples, and primary production stages.
- LAMP Technology
- Utilizes isothermal nucleic acid amplification for rapid results.
- Effective for detecting pathogens, antimicrobial resistance genes, and virulence factors.
- Suitable for use in both laboratory and certain field settings due to minimal equipment needs and robust assay formats.
- Procedure Guidance
- Outlines steps: sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, isothermal amplification, signal detection, data interpretation.
- Stresses the importance of controls (positive extraction, internal/external amplification, positive/negative LAMP controls) for result reliability.
- Laboratory Requirements
- Recommends unidirectional workflow and spatial/temporal separation to avoid contamination.
- Provides guidance on decontamination, proper waste disposal, and equipment requirements.
- Definitions
- Includes standardized terminology for LAMP, RT-LAMP, controls, inhibitors, and laboratory set-ups.
Applications
EN ISO 24914:2026 finds practical application across diverse areas in the food sector, supporting food safety management and compliance. Its standardized approach enables:
- Food Producers and Processors
- Early and reliable screening of raw materials, ingredients, and end products for microbial hazards.
- Verification of hygiene and process controls in food and feed manufacturing environments.
- Laboratory Testing and Quality Assurance
- Reference for accredited microbiology laboratories developing or implementing LAMP-based pathogen detection.
- Guidance for environmental monitoring and testing at various points in the food supply chain.
- Field Testing
- Deployment of LAMP-based methods in non-laboratory or resource-limited settings due to the technique’s minimal requirements for instrumentation.
- On-site microbial screening in primary production, food handling, or during inspections.
- Regulatory Compliance
- Harmonization with international best practices and support for audits or regulatory inspections on food safety standards.
Related Standards
For a comprehensive approach to microbiological detection and method validation in food and feed, users should also refer to:
- ISO 16140 series – Microbiology of the food chain – Method validation.
- ISO 17468 – Microbiology of the food chain – Technical requirements and guidance on establishment or revision of standardized reference methods.
- ISO 22942-1 – General requirements for isothermal methods, including LAMP, for molecular biomarker analysis.
- ISO 22174 – General requirements and definitions for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection and quantification of microorganisms in the food chain.
- ISO 6887 – Preparation of test samples and initial suspensions.
- ISO 7218 – Microbiology of the food chain – General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations.
EN ISO 24914:2026 supports consistent, high-quality application of LAMP across the food industry, strengthening public health protection and facilitating international trade through harmonized microbiological testing procedures.