Food poisoning microorganisms
The Food Microbiology Unit specialises in the study of food poisoning microorganisms. Expertise includes the isolation, identification and typing of food borne pathogens. AFBI Food Microbiology Unit is the UK National Reference Laboratory for milk and dairy products, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.
It is also the Northern Ireland Reference Laboratory for animal protein testing for the presence of Salmonella spp. This is performed under the Animal By-Products Regulations (NI) 2003. In addition, under the Zoonoses Order (NI) 1997, the Unit acts as one of the two DAERA Designated Laboratories for the serotyping of Salmonella spp. in Northern Ireland.
All these analyses are accredited under ISO 17025:2017.
Contact: Food microbiology group