Measurement uncertainty of the EU methods for microbiological examination of red meat

Three parallel trials were made of EU methods proposed for the microbiological examination of red meat using two analysts in each of seven laboratories within the UK. The methods involved determination of aerobic colony count (ACC) and Enterobacteriaceae colony count (ECC) using simulated methods and a freeze-dried standardised culture preparation. Trial A was based on a simulated swab test, Trial B a simulated meat excision test and Trial C was a reference test on reconstituted inoculum. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) was carried out before and after rejection of outlying data. Expanded uncertainty values (relative standard deviation ×2) for repeatability and reproducibility, based on the log10 cfu/ml, on the ACC ranged from ±2.1% to ±2.7% and from ±5.5% to ±10.5%, respectively, depending upon the test procedure. Similarly for the ECC, expanded uncertainty estimates for repeatability and reproducibility ranged from ±4.6% to ±16.9% and from ±21.6% to ±23.5%, respectively. The results are discussed in relation to the potential application of the methods.