Overview
EN ISO 13307:2013 / ISO 13307:2013 - Microbiology of food and animal feed - Primary production stage - Sampling techniques - defines standardized sampling techniques for the primary food–animal production stage. It is focused on methods to detect or enumerate viable microorganisms, with particular reference to food-borne pathogens, and is explicitly not intended for diagnosis of animal disease.
This European/ISO standard guides the selection, handling, packing and transport of samples taken on farms, in hatcheries and during animal transport, to ensure representative, contamination-free specimens for microbiological analysis.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose
- Sampling within the primary production stage (farm to harvest/entry to slaughterhouse) for viable microorganism detection and enumeration.
- Not for clinical diagnosis of animal disease.
- Sampling personnel
- Samples must be taken by trained, experienced personnel familiar with microbiological sampling techniques.
- Sample documentation
- Clear labelling and a sampling form/report are required: place, date/time, sampler identity, sample IDs, purpose and target microorganisms, and any additives or transport media used.
- Diluents and transport media
- Recommended diluents (e.g., buffered peptone water, peptone salt solution, sterile or potable water where appropriate).
- Examples of transport media for sensitive organisms (e.g., Cary–Blair, Amies charcoal, buffered peptone water for Salmonella) to preserve viability during transport.
- Sampling methods covered
- Farm environment (post-cleaning/disinfection sampling, surface and floor sampling, dust, water, Moore’s swabs, rope swabs, in-line milk filters).
- Animal sampling on-farm and at slaughter.
- Hatchery sampling (hatcher liners, eggshells, hatcher fluff, meconium, dead-in-shell embryos, macerated waste).
- Transport vehicles, modules and crates sampling (before/after cleaning and disinfection).
- Storage and transport
- Recommendations for packing to avoid cross-contamination and for transport/storage conditions, including guidance for sensitive organisms.
- Normative references
- Linked to ISO 6887-1 (preparation of test samples and dilutions) and ISO 7218 (general requirements for microbiological examinations).
Practical applications and users
EN ISO 13307:2013 is used by:
- Food safety teams and HACCP coordinators on farms and in primary production
- Laboratory managers and analysts receiving field samples
- Veterinary public health authorities and regulatory inspectors conducting surveillance for food-borne pathogens
- Producers, hatchery operators and transport companies implementing contamination monitoring programs
- Consultants and auditors assessing microbiological sampling practices
Related standards
- ISO 6887-1 - Preparation of test samples, initial suspension and decimal dilutions
- ISO 7218 - General requirements and guidance for microbiological examinations
Keywords: ISO 13307:2013, EN ISO 13307, sampling techniques, microbiology of food, primary production stage, food-borne pathogens, diluents, transport media, farm sampling, hatchery sampling, surface sampling.
