EN ISO 7218:2024 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 7218:2024 – Microbiology of the food chain - General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations – is the latest international standard developed by ISO and adopted by CEN. This document provides comprehensive guidance and sets out the essential requirements for conducting microbiological examinations across the food chain. Applicable from primary production to finished food and animal feed products, it also covers related facilities and water used in food production.

The standard supports the consistent application of horizontal or vertical microbiological standards by ISO/TC 34/SC 9 and SC 5, ensuring laboratories adhere to good laboratory practice in line with ISO/IEC 17025. It establishes a common framework for the detection and enumeration of bacteria, yeasts, and moulds, and, with supplemental guidance, can extend to parasites and viruses (but excludes toxins and metabolites).

Key Topics

• Good Laboratory Practice (GLP):

  • Guidance on laboratory design, biosafety, hygiene, and premises maintenance.
  • Requirements for personnel competence, ongoing staff training, and verification of skills.
  • Management of equipment, consumables, and reagents.

• Technical Requirements:

  • Procedures for sterilization, decontamination, and safe disposal of lab materials.
  • Sampling strategies, transport and storage of samples, and preparation for examination.
  • Hygienic precautions during handling and testing.
  • Examination methodologies: Preparation, enumeration (quantitative), and detection (qualitative).

• Quality Management:

  • Procedures aligning microbiological analysis with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
  • Internal and external quality controls, including use of control microorganisms.
  • Validation and verification of microbiological test methods to ensure reliable results.
  • Guidelines on reporting and documenting test outcomes.

• Application Scope:

  • Suitable for food and animal feed laboratory testing.
  • Applicable to water testing where the water is used in food production or is classified as food.
  • Can be tailored to specific microbiological standards and testing needs throughout the food supply chain.

Applications

EN ISO 7218:2024 plays a critical role in supporting:

• Food Safety and Compliance: Ensures laboratories perform microbiological tests accurately, underpinning global food safety programs and regulatory compliance.
• Standardization of Laboratory Practices: Provides harmonized procedures across different countries and sectors, minimizing variation and improving data comparability.
• Laboratory Accreditation: Assists laboratories in meeting ISO/IEC 17025 requirements for technical competence and quality assurance in microbiological testing.
• Quality Assurance for Producers and Inspectors: Used by food manufacturers, processors, and regulators to develop, implement, and verify safe food handling and production practices.

Related Standards

For specialized needs or additional microbiological methods, EN ISO 7218:2024 references and complements:

• ISO 22174: Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of food-borne pathogens – Specific amplification methods.
• ISO/IEC 17025: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
• Relevant ISO/TC 34/SC 9 and SC 5 Standards: Horizontal and vertical methods for detection or enumeration of microorganisms within the food chain.

By outlining rigorous laboratory requirements and aligning with international microbiological standards, EN ISO 7218:2024 serves as a cornerstone for reliable, effective food chain microbiology, benefitting global food safety, public health, and trade.