Verified Analytical LaboratoryCincinnati, Ohio
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TAMC · TYMC · E. coli · Salmonella

Microbiology testing

Microbial contamination is invisible until it is a recall. We check finished products and raw materials for the organisms that specifications and retailers ask about.

Tests we run

TestWhat it tells youApproach
Total aerobic microbial count (TAMC)Overall bacterial load: a measure of hygiene during sourcing and production.Plate count
Total yeast and mold (TYMC)Fungal load, a frequent issue in botanicals, powders and hemp flower.Plate count
Coliforms / EnterobacteriaIndicator organisms that point to sanitation problems.Plate count
E. coliIndicator of fecal contamination.Culture · qPCR
SalmonellaPathogen screen; reported as detected or not detected in the tested portion.Culture · qPCR
Staphylococcus aureusPathogen often linked to handling.Culture
Aspergillus speciesMold species named in many hemp and cannabis programs.qPCR

Panels are commonly built around compendial microbial-limits methods (for example USP <61>, <62> and <2021>/<2022> for supplements) or the methods your customer specifies.

Sampling matters

Micro results are only as good as the sample. Send unopened retail units where possible, keep them sealed, and avoid shipping products at temperatures they would not normally see. Our sample submission guide covers quantities and packaging.

What you receive

A Certificate of Analysis with each count in colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g) or per milliliter, pathogen results as detected / not detected, and a comparison to your specification limits.

Turnaround and pricing

Turnaround depends on the test, the number of samples and the time of year. Standard and rush options are quoted per project. PENDING: turnaround times + pricing

Have a product that needs testing?

Tell us what it is and what you need to know. We will recommend the right tests and send a quote.

Request a quote →How to submit