EN ISO 18744:2016 Microbiology of the food chain - Detection and enumeration of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in fresh leafy green vegetables and berry fruits
This International Standard specifies a method for the detection and enumeration of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts on or in foods described herein as fresh green leafy vegetables and berries. With appropriate controls, it may also be suitable for testing other fresh produce. The microscopy descriptions are for oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. and cysts of Giardia duodenalis in the size ranges that include the species (Cryptosporidium) or genogroups (Giardia) known to be pathogenic to humans. This method does not include molecular analysis and is therefore not suitable for determining the species or genotypes/genogroups of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. The method detects all species and genotypes/genogroups that are known to be pathogenic to humans, as well as others that are not. Molecular typing tests are required for further identification. However, these cannot be performed reliably if samples have been spiked with positive process controls as the result of molecular typing tests will be obscured. This procedure does not allow determination of the viability or infectivity of any Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts that may be present.
EN ISO 18744:2016 Referenced Document
ISO 16140:2003 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - Protocol for the validation of alternative methods
ISO 7218:2007 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs - General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations
EN ISO 18744:2016 history
2016EN ISO 18744:2016 Microbiology of the food chain - Detection and enumeration of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in fresh leafy green vegetables and berry fruits