ISO 17410-2019 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 17410:2019 — Microbiology of the food chain — Horizontal method for the enumeration of psychrotrophic microorganisms. This International Standard specifies a horizontal (culture‑based) method to enumerate psychrotrophic microorganisms able to grow and form colonies on a solid agar medium after aerobic incubation at 6.5 °C, applicable to food, feed and related environmental samples.

Abstract

The document provides a standardized colony‑count procedure for psychrotrophic organisms relevant to food safety and quality testing. It describes sample preparation, inoculation, incubation at 6.5 °C, colony counting and expression of results, and includes a note and an annex (Annex B) that specifies a rapid estimation method for psychrotrophic counts in raw and pasteurized milk.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard, confirmed).
• Publication date: July 2019 (Edition 2, published 2019-07-25).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 07.100.30 (Food microbiology).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2019).
• Number of pages: 10 (ISO electronic edition).

Key bibliographic and lifecycle data are recorded on the ISO record for ISO 17410:2019 (including its replacement of the 2001 edition).

Scope

This standard applies to products intended for human consumption, products intended for animal feeding, environmental samples from food and feed production/handling areas, and samples taken at primary production stages. It is intended as a horizontal method for use across a range of food/feed matrices where enumeration of psychrotrophic microorganisms is required for safety, quality or process‑control purposes. Annex B provides a rapid estimation adaptation for milk.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and scope of psychrotrophic microorganisms in the context of the food chain.
• Sample handling and preparation procedures suitable for a broad range of food and environmental matrices.
• Inoculation and incubation conditions (aerobic incubation at 6.5 °C) to favour psychrotrophic growth.
• Colony enumeration procedures and expression of results (plate counts, calculation and reporting conventions).
• Quality and control measures to ensure reliable, repeatable counts (e.g., dilutions, replicates, media selection, incubation time limits).
• Annex with a rapid estimation method for psychrotrophic counts in raw and pasteurized milk samples.

These topics follow the ISO horizontal‑method approach used across food microbiology standards.

Typical use and users

Laboratories performing food and feed microbiological testing, quality and safety control teams in food manufacturing, regulatory and inspection bodies, research laboratories studying cold‑tolerant spoilage organisms, and primary producers conducting microbiological monitoring. The standard is used to obtain comparable plate‑count data for psychrotrophic organisms across samples and sites.

Related standards

ISO 17410:2019 supersedes ISO 17410:2001 (withdrawn). It is part of the ISO/TC 34/SC 9 suite of food‑microbiology horizontal methods and is conceptually related to other ISO methods for enumeration of groups of microorganisms (e.g., total viable count, specific spoilage organisms) used in the microbiology of the food chain. National adoptions (e.g., NF ISO 17410) and identical/endorsed versions exist.

Keywords

psychrotrophic microorganisms; food microbiology; enumeration; plate count; horizontal method; incubation 6.5 °C; milk rapid estimation; ISO 17410.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17410:2019 is an International Standard titled "Microbiology of the food chain — Horizontal method for the enumeration of psychrotrophic microorganisms," giving a culture‑based procedure to enumerate psychrotrophic organisms in food, feed and related samples.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample preparation, inoculation, aerobic incubation at 6.5 °C, colony counting and result expression for psychrotrophic microorganisms, plus an annex with a rapid estimation method for milk.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Food and feed testing laboratories, quality and safety teams in industry, regulatory laboratories, and researchers monitoring psychrotrophic spoilage or contamination.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 17410:2019 is the current (2019, 2nd edition) version that replaced the 2001 edition; ISO records indicate it was published in July 2019 and is the active revision. Standards are subject to periodic review by ISO.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the family of ISO horizontal methods for food microbiology maintained by ISO/TC 34/SC 9; related ISO standards cover other microbial groups and methods for the food chain.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Psychrotrophic microorganisms, enumeration, plate count, food microbiology, horizontal method, incubation 6.5 °C, milk rapid estimation (Annex B).