Measure to know: swabs, food and water

Lab analyses are how you objectively verify what the HACCP manual claims: that cleaning works, raw materials are safe, mains water is drinkable, the environment isn't contaminated.

Main types:
• Surface swabs (sponge or swab): residual bacterial load on boards, slicers, counters, hands.
• Food analyses: pathogens (Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter), microbial load, GMO, mycotoxins, hidden allergens.
• Water analyses: potability per D.Lgs. 18/2023.
• Air analyses: healthcare, professional kitchens, operating theatres.

• EC Reg. 2073/2005 food microbiological criteria — the bible of acceptable limits.
• ISO/IEC 17025 lab accreditation standard.
• ACCREDIA Italian national accreditation body (court-valid).
• D.Lgs. 18/2023 drinking water.
• EU Reg. 1881/2006 food contaminants (heavy metals, mycotoxins, dioxins).

ACCREDIA report = evidentiary validity in disputes.

For the whole chain: food industries (periodic self-control monthly/quarterly), retail (deli/fish/butcher counters), restaurants (pre/post-season surface swabs), school canteens (weekly meal analyses), private water systems (annual minimum), healthcare (operating theatres, hospital canteens).

Key moments: before opening, after renovation, after supplier change, after outbreak, for IFS/BRC certification (sampling trend required).

Sampling plan tailored to product, process and reference standard. Our technician visits with sterile kits, takes the sample respecting cold chain, transports to partner ACCREDIA lab and delivers the report in 3-10 days depending on analysis type.

In case of out-of-limit result: we call you before the report is issued. Action plan agreed (batch recall, extraordinary sanitation, root cause) and ASL communication support when required.

For annual HACCP contract clients: sampling plan included (4-12 samples/year per profile) + online history.