EPTIS
BAM Logo

Food Microbiology Scheme - (QMS)

EPTIS factsheet 132268 | Last revision 2026-01-22 | URL: https://www.eptis.bam.de/pts132268 https://www.eptis.bam.de/pts132268

PT provider
PT provider LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing
Based in United Kingdom
Language(s)
Remarks "The food microbiology proficiency testing scheme with the world's most extensive analyte range…" Food poisoning outbreaks are not just dangerous for consumers, but also potentially ruinous to consumer confidence, brand reputation and value, as well as company profitability. At their worst, they can even result in civil, and perhaps criminal, charges. Laboratories performing food testing must therefore display constant vigilance against potential pathogens, spoilage- and indicator organisms - as well as demonstrate that their results are accurate and meaningful enough to form part of a robust quality assurance programme. To support laboratories across the world with this dual challenge, LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing’s Food Microbiology Scheme (QMS) provides the most exhaustive food microbiology proficiency testing offer on the market in terms of analytes - from routine testing, including Shigella, to rare analytes such as psychrotrophic bacteria and bifidobacteriaceae. QMS also supplies a wide variety of matrices reflecting the real-world range of substances that our participating laboratories demand – including a wide selection of samples where Salmonella is the target analyte, but also more specialised items requested by our customers.
Keywords
Product groups Food and drink
Laboratory / scientific equipment
Process control systems
Testing fields Microbiology
Technical details
Test item Tested property Testing method
Paper exercise Colony count and calculation of number of microorganisms -
Skimmed milk powder Coliforms count -
Coagulase-positive staphylococci count -
Bacillus cereus count -
Clostridium perfringens count -
Osmophilic mould count -
Osmophilic yeast count -
Yeast count -
Total aerobic mesophilic count -
Coliforms presence/absence -
Enterococci (faecal streptococci) count -
Escherichia coli presence/absence -
Escherichia coli count -
Pseudomonas species count -
Salmonella species presence/absence -
Clostridium species presence/absence -
Enterobacteriaceae presence/absence -
Escherichia coli O157 presence/absence -
Lactic acid bacteria count -
Listeria monocytogenes presence/absence -
Listeria monocytogenes count -
Listeria species presence/absence -
Listeria species count -
Mesophilic aerobic bacterial spores count -
Mesophilic anaerobic spores count -
Mould count -
Sulphite-reducing bacteria count -
Thermophilic aerobic spores count -
Thermotolerant coliforms count -
Total anaerobic mesophilic count -
Yeast and Mould count -
Cronobacter species presence/absence 25 g of sample (low level)
375 g of sample- NEW
Salmonella species count -
Yersinia enterocolitica presence/absence -
Enterobacteriaceae count -
Detection of Campylobacter species in 10g -
Campylobacter species in 25g -
Tea Coliforms count -
Coagulase-positive staphylococci count -
Total aerobic mesophilic count -
Salmonella species presence/absence -
Yeast and Mould count -
Freeze-dried vial Bifidobacterium species count -
Lactobacillus species count -
Campylobacter species presence/absence -
Campylobacter species. count -
Identification of unknown organism -
Identification of Salmonella Serology
Vial containing lyophilised milk (may or may not contain microorganisms at low levels) Commercial Sterility -
Commercial sterility; -
Identification of microorganism -
Vial containing single organism (contents may include pathogens and/ or nonpathogens) Confirmation and /or Identification of Gram-negative organisms (including Salmonella) to genus and/or species -
Confirmation and /or Identification of Gram-positive organisms (including Listeria) to genus and/or species -
Identification of organisms to genus and/or species -
Herb Salmonella species presence/absence -
Food, simulated on oatmeal matrix Coliforms count -
Coagulase-positive staphylococci count -
Bacillus cereus count -
Clostridium perfringens count -
Osmophilic mould count -
Osmophilic yeast count -
Yeast count -
Total aerobic mesophilic count -
Coliforms presence/absence -
Enterococci (faecal streptococci) count -
Escherichia coli presence/absence -
Escherichia coli count -
Pseudomonas species count -
Salmonella species presence/absence -
Aerobic psychrotrophs count -
Clostridium species presence/absence -
Enterobacteriaceae presence/absence -
Escherichia coli O157 presence/absence -
Lactic acid bacteria count -
Listeria monocytogenes presence/absence -
Listeria monocytogenes count -
Listeria species presence/absence -
Listeria species count -
Mesophilic aerobic bacterial spores count -
Mesophilic anaerobic spores count -
Mould count -
Shigella species presence/absence -
Sulphite-reducing bacteria count -
Thermophilic aerobic spores count -
Thermotolerant coliforms count -
Total anaerobic mesophilic count -
Vibrio parahaemolyticus presence/absence -
Vibrio species presence/absence -
Yeast and Mould count -
Enterobacteriaceae count -
Chicken faeces (CF) -NEW Salmonella species presence/absence -
Food matrix Escherichia Coli O157 (detection) -
Listeria species (Presence/Absence) -
Listeria Monocytogenes -
Salmonella spp. detection -
Listeria species identification -
Identification of yeast and mould to genus and/or species level -
Enumeration of Yeast; Mould; Yeast and Mould -
Yeast and Mould (ISO 21527-1) -
Dairy matrix Listeria species (Presence/Absence) -
Listeria Monocytogenes in 125g -
Enumeration of Yeast & mould -
Yeast and Mould (ISO 21527-1) -
Identification of yeast and mould to genus and/or species level -
Salmonella species -
Egg powder Salmonella spp. detection -
Salmonella Enteritidis / Salmonella Typhimurium Serology
Chicken Salmonella spp. detection -
Salmonella Enteritidis / Salmonella Typhimurium Serology
Mixed vegetables Salmonella spp. detection -
Cheese Salmonella spp. detection -
Detection of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes -
Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae -
Coliforms -
Coagulase positive staphylococci -
Herbs & spices Detection of Listeria species; Listeria monocytogenes -
Quantitative Package Total aerobic mesophilic count -
Coliforms (quantitative) -
Enterobacteraceae (Quantitative) -
E. Coli -
Bacillus cereus -
Coagulase Positive Staphylococci -
Yeast & Mould -
Coagulase Positive Staphylococci detection -
Sesame Salmonella spp. detection -
Fruit Enumeration of thermophilic acidophilic bacteria (Alicyclobacillus spp) -
Detection of guaiacol producing thermophilic acidophilic bacteria -
Spice Salmonella species presence/absence -
Infant formula Salmonella species presence/absence -
Cronobacter species in 10g or 25g -
Microscopical Identification Gram staining; Glass slide
Shape identification Glass slide
Presence of spores Glass slide
Nut matrix Total aerobic mesophilic count -
Enumeration of coliforms; -
Enumeration of Yeast; Mould; Yeast and Mould -
High lipid and protein peanut paste matrix Detection of Salmonella species -
Aims of the PT scheme
Target group of participants
Linked to specific legislation / standards Harmonised Protocol for Proficiency Testing ILAC Requirements for Providers of Proficiency Testing Schemes
Additional, subsidiary aims
Number of participants
Accredited or otherwise reviewed by a 3rd party

Accredited by UKAS on the basis of ISO/IEC 17043 Please see current application form and scheme description for accredited and non-accredited status of test materials and analytes.

Operation is commissioned / requested by
Fees and frequency
Participation fee Depending on samples taken
Regularly operated Yes (12 rounds per annum)
Year of first operation 1991
Contact details of the PT provider
Provider Contact person
LGC AXIO Proficiency Testing
1 Chamberhall Business Park, Chamberhall Green
BL9 0AP Bury, Greater Manchester
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0)161 762 2500
Fax: +44 (0)161 762 2501
Web: https://www.lgcstandards.com/GB/en/Proficiency-Testing/cat/244597 https://www.lgcstandards.com/GB/en/Proficiency-Testing/cat/244597
Dr Julian Schwarz
Phone: +49 281 9887218
Fax:
Email: julian.schwarz@lgcgroup.com julian.schwarz@lgcgroup.com
If you find any mistakes please contact the responsible EPTIS coordinator in United Kingdom, Mr Savvas Xystouris. Mr Savvas Xystouris.
Any questions or problems? Please contact us at eptis@bam.de.
Application version: 1.23-SNAPSHOT.20230502124635-7925ae379a631fc1ececff45d2921c8db38877d5