Abstract
Newly developed self-contained swab-based methods were assessed for their ability to detect low levels of coliform bacteria on food contact surfaces. Their performance, under controlled laboratory conditions, was compared to a range of conventional microbiological methods, including traditional hygiene swabs, dipslides and sampling sponges. Stainless steel surfaces were inoculated with known levels of coliform bacteria and were sampled immediately after inoculation whilst still wet, or after they had been allowed to air-dry for 1 h. The sampling sponge was the least effective means of detecting coliforms on a wet surface, having a minimum detection limit of approximately 100 cfu cm−2, whereas all other test methods were able to detect the presence of