AGT Labs Food Testing

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Foodborne Pathogen Testing
& Toxin Analysis

Identify dangerous microorganisms and toxin-forming bacteria before they reach the consumer. AGT delivers accredited foodborne pathogen testing for product safety and FDA / USDA compliance.

Laboratory
PJLA #117946 · Cert L26-535 · Houston, TX
ISO 17025 + FDA LAAF
Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli O157:H7, STEC, Cronobacter, S. aureus, B. cereus
ISO 17025 (not LAAF)
Campylobacter · Clostridium spp.
Turnaround
PCR 24–48h · Cultural confirm 3–5d

Control of Foodborne Pathogens

Effective management of foodborne pathogens through accredited testing is the cornerstone of any modern food safety program. AGT Food Labs coordinates a full spectrum of foodborne pathogen testing covering the major bacterial pathogens and priority screening targets, helping you identify contamination risks, prevent outbreaks, and meet FDA, USDA, and FSIS standards while avoiding costly FDA import detentions.

Accreditation scope: Salmonella testing and Listeria testing, along with E. coli O157:H7, STEC, Cronobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus, are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by PJLA and under the FDA LAAF program (Cert L26-535, Houston, TX). Campylobacter and Clostridium spp. are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited but are not currently within our FDA LAAF scope. Vibrio, Shigella, Clostridium botulinum, and foodborne viruses (Norovirus, Hepatitis A) are offered as non-accredited validated screens or through our accredited partner-laboratory network.

Common Foodborne Pathogens & Toxins

High-precision detection of leading recall causes under FSIS, FDA, and international safety standards. Dedicated pages cover Salmonella detection and Listeria monocytogenes testing; the organisms below round out the priority bacterial, toxin-forming, and screening targets.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli analysis by PCR under accredited foodborne pathogen testing
STEC Analysis

STEC (Shiga-toxin E. coli)

As a USDA zero-tolerance adulterant in raw beef components, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli demands validated detection. We run PCR screening for Shiga toxin genes, with E. coli O157:H7 confirmation under separate accredited methods.

Accredited Methods (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 & FDA LAAF):
  • STEC — SOP 024, AOAC-RI PTM #121203, PCR
  • E. coli O157:H7 — SOP 011, AOAC-RI PTM #020801, PCR
  • E. coli O157:H7 — SOP 010, AOAC-RI PTM #070801, lateral flow with cultural confirmation
Technical Specs:

Sample Size: 375 g (N60) or 25 g | Reporting: Detected / Not Detected per sample | Shipping: Refrigerated (2–8°C)

Industry Application:

N60 excision sampling is standard for beef trim and ground beef compliance. Also used for agricultural water testing under FSMA for leafy greens and sprouts.

Cronobacter sakazakii detection on chromogenic media for powdered infant formula testing
Infant Formula & Powdered Products

Cronobacter spp.

Cronobacter sakazakii survives in low-moisture environments and is the pathogen of record for powdered infant formula, where infection in neonates carries a high fatality rate. FDA and the 2023 Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act place powdered infant formula under heightened scrutiny, and Cronobacter became a nationally notifiable condition in 2024. Our detection is accredited under both ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the FDA LAAF program.

Accredited Methods (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 & FDA LAAF):
  • SOP 009
  • FDA BAM Chapter 29
  • Chromogenic isolation
Technical Specs:

Sample Size: 25–100 g | Reporting: Detected / Not Detected | Shipping: Ambient, sealed against moisture

Industry Application:

Powdered infant formula, follow-on formula, dried dairy and whey ingredients, powdered beverage bases, and dry-blending environmental monitoring programs.

Staphylococcus aureus enumeration by Petrifilm under accredited foodborne pathogen testing
Enumeration

Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a hygiene indicator common in hand-assembled and heat-treated foods, and its enterotoxins are heat-stable. Our accredited service enumerates S. aureus to verify sanitation and process control, so heat-treated finished products can be released with confidence.

Accredited Methods (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 & FDA LAAF):
  • SOP 023
  • AOAC 2003.07 / 2003.08 / 2003.11
  • Petrifilm™ count
Technical Specs:

Sample Size: 50 g | LOD: < 10 CFU/g | Shipping: Refrigerated (2–8°C)

Industry Application:

A key target for ready-to-eat foods involving manual assembly — bakery fillings, cream pastries, dairy products, and hand-contact-surface monitoring.

Direct enterotoxin immunoassay (ELISA) is available as a non-accredited validated screen, outside the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 scope.

Bacillus cereus colonies on selective agar during accredited enumeration
Enumeration & Spore Detection

Bacillus cereus

Bacillus cereus forms heat-resistant endospores that survive cooking and germinate in starchy foods held at improper temperatures. Our accredited service enumerates presumptive B. cereus for rice, pasta, dried ingredients, and powdered formulations.

Accredited Methods (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 & FDA LAAF):
  • SOP 031
  • FDA BAM Chapter 14
  • Plate count on MYP agar
Technical Specs:

Sample Size: 50 g | LOD: < 10 CFU/g | Shipping: Refrigerated or ambient

Industry Application:

Starchy foods (rice, pasta, potatoes), dried milk powders, spices, and verification of cooling protocols in catering operations.

Anaerobic plate count for Clostridium perfringens in reduced-oxygen packaged food
Anaerobe Detection

Clostridium spp.

Anaerobic testing for Clostridium perfringens is essential for vacuum-packed and reduced-oxygen-packaged products. Detection in oxygen-deprived environments protects large-format and slow-cooled foods.

Accredited Methods (ISO/IEC 17025:2017):
  • SOP 034
  • FDA BAM Chapter 16
  • Anaerobic plate count
Technical Specs:

Sample Size: 50 g | LOD: < 10 CFU/g | Shipping: Refrigerated (2–8°C)

Industry Application:

Meat processors handling large roasts, stews, and gravies, plus sous-vide and reduced-oxygen-packaged foods.

Clostridium spp. including C. perfringens is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited but not within our FDA LAAF scope. C. botulinum confirmation for low-acid canned foods is offered as a non-accredited validated screen.

Microaerophilic incubation for Campylobacter detection in poultry rinse samples
Poultry Pathogen Focus

Campylobacter spp.

The leading bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, Campylobacter jejuni is also a key FSIS performance standard for poultry. Microaerophilic detection requires specialized handling from receipt onward.

Accredited Methods (ISO/IEC 17025:2017):
  • SOP 042
  • AOAC-RI PTM #031209
  • PCR
Technical Specs:

Sample Size: 25 g or rinse fluid | Reporting: Detected / Not Detected per 25 g | Shipping: Refrigerated, do not freeze

Industry Application:

FSIS performance standard testing for poultry processing (broilers, turkeys), raw milk compliance, and rinse-water and carcass-swab monitoring.

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited; not currently within our FDA LAAF scope.

Industries at Risk for Foodborne Pathogens

Targeted pathogen testing for high-risk commodity groups, with protocols matched to each category.

Raw beef and poultry cuts submitted for STEC, Salmonella and Campylobacter screening

Beef & Poultry

STEC, Salmonella, and Campylobacter targeted screening.
Shellfish and finfish submitted for Listeria, Salmonella and Vibrio screening

Seafood & Shellfish

Listeria and Salmonella under accreditation; Vibrio as a validated screen.
Fresh produce submitted for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella and STEC screening

Fresh Produce

E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and STEC screening.
Dairy and cheese products submitted for Listeria, S. aureus and Salmonella verification

Dairy & Cheese

Listeria, S. aureus, and Salmonella verification.
Ready-to-eat meals submitted for Listeria control and finished-product pathogen monitoring

Ready-to-Eat (RTE)

Listeria control and finished-product pathogen monitoring.
Spices and dry ingredients submitted for Salmonella, Cronobacter and Bacillus cereus testing

Spices, Powders & Dry Goods

Salmonella, Cronobacter, and Bacillus cereus enumeration.

Why Choose AGT Food Labs?

Single-point coordination, rapid turnaround, and expert support across every pathogen testing program we manage.

Accredited Scope, Stated Plainly

Accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the FDA LAAF program for Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli O157:H7, STEC, Cronobacter, S. aureus and B. cereus, and under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for Campylobacter and Clostridium spp. Specialized targets are offered as validated non-accredited screens, and every report states which applies.

Rapid Results

PCR-based screening typically returns results in 24–48 hours. Cultural confirmation adds 3–5 days for presumptive positives.

Expert Support

Direct access to technical managers for result interpretation, environmental monitoring plans, and corrective-action guidance.

Common Questions About Pathogen Testing

What are the "Big 4" foodborne pathogens?
The four most commonly associated with foodborne illness and regulatory recalls are Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, and Campylobacter. These are the primary targets for routine pathogen screening.
Do you test powdered infant formula for Cronobacter?
Yes. Cronobacter detection under SOP 009 and FDA BAM Chapter 29 is within our PJLA ISO/IEC 17025:2017 scope and is recognized under the FDA LAAF program. That matters for powdered infant formula, follow-on formula, and dried dairy ingredients, where regulatory scrutiny has increased sharply since the 2022 recalls and Cronobacter became nationally notifiable in 2024.
How do you test for toxin-forming bacteria in food?
For organisms whose toxins matter — S. aureus and B. cereus — our accredited approach enumerates the organism by Petrifilm™ or plate count on MYP agar to verify sanitation and process control. Because the enterotoxins are heat-stable, a direct enterotoxin immunoassay (ELISA) is available as a non-accredited screen when a heat-treated product must additionally be cleared for pre-formed toxin.
What is STEC and why is it a zero-tolerance adulterant?
STEC is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. O157:H7 and six additional serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145) are legally defined as adulterants in raw beef components because these strains cause severe illness, so any detection requires product destruction or diversion.
Which of your pathogen tests are FDA LAAF-recognized?
LAAF recognition applies at method level, not across the whole laboratory. On our Houston scope (Cert L26-535) it covers Salmonella, Listeria spp., L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, STEC, Cronobacter, S. aureus, and B. cereus, among others. Campylobacter and Clostridium spp. are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited but sit outside LAAF. If your submission requires a LAAF-recognized method, tell us before shipping and we will confirm coverage for your parameter.
How long does foodborne pathogen testing take?
With PCR methods, negative results for pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria are typically available in 24–48 hours. If a sample is presumptive positive, cultural confirmation is required and may take an additional 3–5 days.
How much sample is required for pathogen testing?
Typical screens require 25 g to 375 g, depending on the method and regulatory requirement. Beef trim testing often requires N60 excision sampling (375 g), whereas standard Salmonella detection usually requires 25 g.

Prevent Foodborne Illness & Recalls

Get accredited pathogen results you can act on. Tell us your product and target organisms, and we'll confirm the method, its accreditation status, and turnaround before you ship.

Request a Pathogen Quote
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