To support customers in meeting Chinese market access requirements, we offer Coliform enumeration testing of food and dairy samples to the latest GB 4789.3-2025 standard.
The plate count method (Method II) allows for the use of alternative media that doesn't require confirmation. This means final results can be released sooner where Coliforms are present.
Analysis Test Codes
| Test Code | Description (Reportable Components) | Method Reference | Matrix | Accreditation | Standard TAT |
| GM-COLI17.01 | Coliforms | GB 4789.3:2025 Method II |
Food & Dairy (Auckland) Dairy (Christchurch) |
IANZ | 10 days |
| GM-COLI17.02 | Coliforms | GB 4789.3:2025 Method I | Dairy | IANZ | 10 days |
| GM-COLI17.03 | Coliforms | GB 4789.3:2025 Method I | Dairy | IANZ | 10 days |
| GM-COLI17.05 | Coliforms | GB 4789.3:2025 Method II |
Food & Dairy (Auckland) Dairy (Christchurch) |
IANZ | 10 days |
| GM-COLI17.06 | Coliforms | GB 4789.3:2025 Method I | Dairy | IANZ | 10 days |
| GM-COLI17.07 | Coliforms | GB 4789.3:2025 Method I | Dairy | IANZ | 10 days |
| GM-COLI28.01 | Coliforms | GB 4789.3:2025 Method II | Raw Milk (Auckland) | IANZ | 7 days |
Further background
Coliforms are members of the Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae family. They are abundant in the faeces of warm-blooded animals, but can also be found in the aquatic environment, in soil and on vegetation. The determination of a Coliform count in processed foods is not necessarily an indication of faecal contamination but is a reasonable measure of inadequate steps in food processing, post-processing handling or storage, or of plant sanitation. In dairy plants, Coliform testing of product is an effective way of assessing the milk pasteurisation process and the degree of post-pasteurisation contamination.
For any technical questions, please contact:
Warwick Aspin, Microbiology Technical Manager, or
Hannah Mills-Beale, Senior Scientist - Microbiology (Auckland)
Amy James, Senior Scientist - Microbiology (Christchurch)