For food and environmental analysis, coliform bacteria and especially E. colishould be determined and enumerated rapidly,
correctly and economically. Even if the results are obtained either by traditional or improved techniques, the results require
confirmation, meaning that these techniques are not reliable. Confirmation tests need additional time and/or cost. In this study, 500
food samples of 10 various types were analyzed for their natural coliform contamination by the standard MPN method and E. coli
by two MUG based MPN techniques. Enumeration results were statistically analyzed to determine whether confirmation tests for
coliform and E. coli analysis are necessary or not according to the results of three statistical reliability analyses: Pearson's correlation
coefficient (r), Cronbach's alpha (α) and determination coefficient (r2
). The results clearly showed that BGB broth confirmation for
LST broth in coliform analysis and indole test confirmation for MUG test in E. coli analysis are not necessary (p < 0.0001).