Research Approach
The first part of the survey involved the production of a single general questionnaire that was designed to gather general information on the status of testing in this country, the type and choice of methods being used and future method requirements and likely adoption of new technologies. This questionnaire was sent to companies with their own facilities to carry out testing in-house, as well as to those that sent samples to another company or laboratory for testing.
The second survey involved the production of eight separate questionnaires for specific bacteria, including the main pathogens associated with foods. These were designed to provide more detailed information on the types of methods, media and techniques used for their isolation, enumeration and identification. These questionnaires were sent only to those laboratories directly involved with testing foods for the particular bacteria in question.