Foodstuffs - Microbiological screening for irradiated food using LAL/GNB procedures

This European Standard specifies a microbiological screening method comprising two procedures, which are carried out in parallel. It permits the identification of an unusual microbiological profile in poultry meat. The presence of a large excess population of dead micro-organisms can under certain circumstances be presumptive of irradiation treatment, which means, that the results of the procedure of the determination of endotoxin concentration in the test sample using the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test and of the procedure of the enumeration of total Gram negative bacteria (GNB) in the test sample are not radiation specific. Therefore, it is recommended that a positive result be confirmed using a standardized reference method for the detection of irradiated food, e.g. EN 1784, EN 1785 or EN 1786 [1] to [3].
This screening method has been successfully tested by inter-laboratory trials [4], [5], [6] and the procedure is generally applicable to whole or parts of poultry, e.g. breast, legs, wings of fresh, chilled or frozen carcasses with or without skin.
The method can also provide information about the microbiological quality of a product prior to irradiation.

Lebensmittel - Mikrobiologisches LAL/GNB-Screeningverfahren zum Nachweis von bestrahlten Lebensmitteln

Dieses Dokument legt ein mikrobiologisches Screeningverfahren fest, das aus zwei parallel durchzuführenden Verfahrensweisen besteht. Es erlaubt die Identifizierung eines ungewöhnlichen mikrobiologischen Profils in Geflügelfleisch. Das Vorhandensein einer besonders großen Population toter Mikroorganismen kann unter bestimmten Umständen ein Indiz für eine Strahlenbehandlung sein, was bedeutet, dass die Ergebnisse der Bestimmung der Endotoxinkonzentration in der Untersuchungsprobe unter Anwendung des Limulus-Amöbenzellen-Lysat (LAL)-Tests und des Verfahrens der Zählung der Gesamtmenge gramnegativer Bakterien (GNB) nicht spezifisch für Bestrahlung sind. Daher ist zu empfehlen, dass ein positives Ergebnis durch die Anwendung eines genormten Referenzverfahrens zur Feststellung bestrahlter Lebensmittel bestätigt wird, z. B. EN 1784, EN 1785 oder EN 1786 [1] bis [3].
Dieses Screeningverfahren wurde in Ringversuchen [4], [5], [6] erfolgreich geprüft, und das Verfahren ist allgemein anwendbar auf ganzes Geflügel oder auf Teile davon, z. B. Brust, Schenkel, Flügel von frischen, gekühlten oder tiefgefrorenen Schlachtkörpern mit oder ohne Haut.
Das Verfahren kann auch Informationen über die mikrobiologische Qualität eines Produktes vor der Bestrahlung liefern.

Produits alimentaires - Dépistages microbiologique des aliments ionisés en utilisant la technique LAL/GNB

La présente Norme européenne spécifie une méthode par dépistage microbiologique comportant deux techniques mises en �uvre en parallèles. Cette méthode permet d'identifier un profil microbiologique anormal dans la viande de volaille. La présence d'une population importante de microorganismes morts peut, dans certains cas seulement, être révélatrice d'un traitement ionisant, ce qui signifie que les résultats de l'application de la technique LAL/GNB ne sont pas caractéristiques de rayonnements. Il est donc recommandé de confirmer un résultat positif à l'aide d'une méthode de référence normalisée de détection d'aliments ionisés, par exemple l'EN 1784, l'EN 1785 ou l'EN 1786.
Cette méthode par dépistage a donné des résultats satisfaisants lors d'essais interlaboratoires [1], [2], [3] et la technique est généralement applicable aux carcasses de volailles fraîches, réfrigérées ou congelées entières ou aux blancs, cuisses ou ailes, avec ou sans peau.
La méthode peut également fournir des informations sur la qualité microbiologique d'un produit avant ionisation.

Živila - Mikrobiološka presejalna analiza za iradiacijo živil z uporabo postopkov LAL/GNB

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
05-Oct-2004
Withdrawal Date
29-Apr-2005
ICS
07.100.30 - Food microbiology
Technical Committee
CEN/TC 275 - Food analysis - Horizontal methods
Drafting Committee
CEN/TC 275/WG 8 - Irradiated foodstuffs
Current Stage
9060 - Closure of 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
Start Date
04-Mar-2025
Completion Date
04-Mar-2025
Ref Project
SIST EN 14569:2005 - Foodstuffs - Microbiological screening for irradiated food using LAL/GNB procedures

Overview

EN 14569:2004 is a CEN European Standard titled Foodstuffs - Microbiological screening for irradiated food using LAL/GNB procedures. It specifies a microbiological screening method that combines two parallel procedures - an endotoxin concentration assay using the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test and the enumeration of total Gram‑negative bacteria (GNB) - to identify an unusual microbiological profile that may be presumptive of irradiation in poultry meat. The method is intended for screening purposes and is not by itself radiation‑specific; positive findings should be confirmed with a standardized reference method.

Key topics and requirements

  • Dual‑procedure screening: LAL endotoxin determination and total GNB enumeration are performed in parallel to detect an excess population of dead microorganisms.
  • Scope of applicability: Designed for whole or parts of poultry (breast, legs, wings) from fresh, chilled or frozen carcasses, with or without skin.
  • Interpretation caveat: A large excess of dead microbes can be presumptive of irradiation but is not radiation‑specific; environmental or processing factors can produce similar results.
  • Confirmation requirement: Positive screening results should be confirmed using standardized reference methods (for example, EN 1784, EN 1785, EN 1786).
  • Validation: The screening method has been successfully evaluated in inter‑laboratory trials, demonstrating its general applicability to poultry products.
  • Additional value: Provides information on microbiological quality prior to irradiation and can assist in quality control.

Practical applications

Who uses EN 14569:2004 and why:

  • Food microbiology laboratories performing routine screening for irradiated food as part of surveillance or compliance testing.
  • Regulatory agencies and border control for preliminary detection of possible irradiation treatments in poultry imports and domestic markets.
  • Poultry processors and QA teams to monitor product microbiological status before and after irradiation and to support HACCP-based controls.
  • Third‑party auditors and certification bodies as part of broader food safety assessments.

Benefits:

  • Fast, cost‑effective screening to flag samples needing confirmatory testing.
  • Applicable to different poultry product types and storage conditions (fresh, chilled, frozen).
  • Helps identify microbiological anomalies that may indicate processing treatments or quality issues.

Related standards

  • EN 1784, EN 1785, EN 1786 - referenced standardized reference methods for confirming irradiation of food (recommended follow‑up when EN 14569 screening is positive).

Keywords: EN 14569:2004, LAL test, GNB enumeration, irradiated food screening, poultry microbiology, endotoxin concentration, Limulus amoebocyte lysate, food microbiology, EN 1784 EN 1785 EN 1786.

Frequently Asked Questions

EN 14569:2004 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Foodstuffs - Microbiological screening for irradiated food using LAL/GNB procedures". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a microbiological screening method comprising two procedures, which are carried out in parallel. It permits the identification of an unusual microbiological profile in poultry meat. The presence of a large excess population of dead micro-organisms can under certain circumstances be presumptive of irradiation treatment, which means, that the results of the procedure of the determination of endotoxin concentration in the test sample using the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test and of the procedure of the enumeration of total Gram negative bacteria (GNB) in the test sample are not radiation specific. Therefore, it is recommended that a positive result be confirmed using a standardized reference method for the detection of irradiated food, e.g. EN 1784, EN 1785 or EN 1786 [1] to [3]. This screening method has been successfully tested by inter-laboratory trials [4], [5], [6] and the procedure is generally applicable to whole or parts of poultry, e.g. breast, legs, wings of fresh, chilled or frozen carcasses with or without skin. The method can also provide information about the microbiological quality of a product prior to irradiation.

This European Standard specifies a microbiological screening method comprising two procedures, which are carried out in parallel. It permits the identification of an unusual microbiological profile in poultry meat. The presence of a large excess population of dead micro-organisms can under certain circumstances be presumptive of irradiation treatment, which means, that the results of the procedure of the determination of endotoxin concentration in the test sample using the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) test and of the procedure of the enumeration of total Gram negative bacteria (GNB) in the test sample are not radiation specific. Therefore, it is recommended that a positive result be confirmed using a standardized reference method for the detection of irradiated food, e.g. EN 1784, EN 1785 or EN 1786 [1] to [3]. This screening method has been successfully tested by inter-laboratory trials [4], [5], [6] and the procedure is generally applicable to whole or parts of poultry, e.g. breast, legs, wings of fresh, chilled or frozen carcasses with or without skin. The method can also provide information about the microbiological quality of a product prior to irradiation.

EN 14569:2004 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 07.100.30 - Food microbiology. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

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Standards Content (Sample)


2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Živila - Mikrobiološka presejalna analiza za iradiacijo živil z uporabo postopkov LAL/GNBLebensmittel - Mikrobiologisches LAL/GNB-Screeningverfahren zum Nachweis von bestrahlten LebensmittelnProduits alimentaires - Dépistages micro
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記事のタイトル：EN 14569:2004 - 食品 - LAL/GNB手法を使用した放射線処理食品の微生物学的スクリーニング 記事の内容：この欧州規格は、並行して行われる2つの手順で構成される微生物学的スクリーニング方法を規定しています。この方法では、鶏肉における異常な微生物学的プロファイルを特定することができます。特定の状況下では、死んだ微生物の過剰な存在は放射線処理を示唆する場合があります。しかし、このスクリーニング方法の結果は放射線に特異的ではないため、陽性結果を検出するためには標準化された参照方法（例：EN 1784、EN 1785、EN 1786[1]から[3]）によって確認されることを推奨します。 このスクリーニング方法は相互試験で成功裏にテストされ、鶏肉の全体または一部（例：胸肉、足、翼）に適用することができます。また、この方法は、放射線処理前の製品の微生物学的品質についても情報を提供することができます。

The article is about a European Standard (EN 14569:2004) that specifies a microbiological screening method for identifying irradiated food. The method involves two procedures, which are performed simultaneously. It allows for the detection of an unusual microbiological profile in poultry meat, which could indicate irradiation treatment. However, the results of the screening method alone are not specific to radiation, so it is recommended to confirm a positive result using a standardized reference method. The screening method has been successfully tested in inter-laboratory trials and can be used for whole or parts of poultry. Additionally, the method can also provide information about the microbiological quality of a product before irradiation.

기사 제목: EN 14569:2004 - 식품 - LAL/GNB 방법을 사용한 방사능 처리 식품의 미생물학적 검사 기사 내용: 이 유럽 표준은 두 가지 절차로 이루어진 미생물학적 검사 방법을 명시한다. 이 방법은 가급적이면 가급적 한 사례에 따라 육류에서의 특이한 미생물학적 성향을 확인할 수 있다. 죽은 미생물의 초과 인구의 존재는 특정한 상황에서 방사선 처리의 가정법적 근거가 될 수 있으며, 따라서 Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) 테스트를 사용하여 시험 샘플의 내독소 농도를 결정하는 절차와 시험 샘플의 총 음균성 베이키터리아(GNB)를 열거하는 절차의 결과는 방사선에 특정되지 않는다. 따라서, 방사능 처리 식품의 검출을 위한 표준화된 참조 방법을 사용하여 양성 결과를 확인하는 것이 권장된다. 예를 들어, EN 1784, EN 1785 또는 EN 1786 [1]에서 [3]까지이다. 이 미생물학적 검사 방법은 국제 연구소 시험을 통해 성공적으로 시험되었으며, 육류 전체 또는 일부, 예를 들어 생선, 냉장 또는 동결 된 해체물에 이용할 수 있다. 또한 이 방법은 방사능 처리 전 제품의 미생물학적 품질에 대한 정보를 제공할 수 있다.