CHROMagar products

Performance: Contamination by faecal material from animals can be shown by the detection of Escherichia coli in the sample. E. coli can contaminate drinking water when the water treatment system is inadequate or during periods of very high rainfalls. Monitoring of food and water production is essential. High contamination may lead to the suspension of the water supply or food recall by supermarkets. Concerning bathing water, regulations are more and more strict: • European directive from 1976: 2.000 Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria for 100 mL of water. • New directive in 2006: 500 E. coli per 100 mL. The presence of E. coli indicates faecal contamination and potential presence of dangerous pathogens such as bacteria like Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella, Pseudomonas etc…, or viruses and intestinal parasites. 

Performance: Coliforms, Enterobacteriacae able to ferment lactose (lactose positive Enterobacteriacae), are bacteria present in human and warm blooded animals intestinal flora, in the soil and water. Coliforms are proof of organic, environmental or faecal contamination. Faecal contamination, due to coliforms coming from animal waste, consists mainly of Escherichia coli and thermotolerant Klebsiella. Strict regulations exist for E. coli/coliform presence in water and food samples. This can be explained by the importance of these germs in determining water and food safety. E. coli can contaminate drinking water when the water treatment system is inadequate or during periods of very high rainfalls. Monitoring of food and water production is essential. High contamination may lead to suspension of the water supply and food recall by supermarkets