Food hygiene and molecular methods

Area of Expertise:

AFBI uses modern molecular techniques to study food spoilage organisms for industry.

Food spoilage organisms

Research is conducted on food spoilage organisms and pathogens, using PCR and other modern molecular techniques, funded predominantly by external customers on meat sector issues.

The Food Hygiene unit at AFBI Stormont provides a routine testing service for the meat processing industry, for the detection of Clostridium estertheticum and Clostridium gasigenes, the main organisms involved in “blown-pack” spoilage of vacuum packed meats.

Contact Food Hygiene Group: FHU.BACT@afbini.gov.uk for further information.