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Aerobic Plate Count (APC) and Total Coliform testing are two of the most commonly requested food microbiology tests.
Because both are considered indicator organism tests, many manufacturers assume they provide the same information.
They do not.
A product may have:
Low Aerobic Plate Count (APC) and elevated Total Coliforms
High Aerobic Plate Count (APC) and low Total Coliforms
Elevated results for both
Each test provides different information about product quality, sanitation effectiveness, and manufacturing controls.
Understanding the difference helps food manufacturers make better food safety and quality decisions.
PBR Laboratories provides Aerobic Plate Count (APC) testing, Total Coliform testing, food microbiology testing, environmental monitoring, and shelf-life testing throughout Alberta, Western Canada, and Canada.
Aerobic Plate Count (APC), sometimes called Total Plate Count (TPC), estimates the total number of aerobic microorganisms present in a sample.
The test provides a general measure of microbiological quality.
APC is often used to evaluate:
APC does not determine:
Salmonella spp.
Listeria monocytogenes
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Total Coliforms
Separate testing is required for those organisms.
Total Coliforms are a group of bacteria commonly used as indicators of sanitation effectiveness and hygiene conditions.
Coliforms may be found in:
Soil
Water
Raw ingredients
Processing environments
Total Coliform testing helps identify potential contamination pathways and sanitation concerns.
A positive Total Coliform result does not automatically indicate the presence of pathogens.
Instead, the result may suggest:
Sanitation issues
Environmental contamination
Process control concerns
Ingredient quality issues
Answers:
"How many microorganisms are present?"
Answers:
"Are there signs of sanitation or hygiene concerns?"
Quick Comparison
| Test | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|
| Aerobic Plate Count (APC) | Overall microbiological quality |
| Total Coliforms | Hygiene and sanitation indicator |
Typically reported as:
Colony Forming Units per Gram (CFU/g)
Examples:
• <10 CFU/g
• 100 CFU/g
• 1,000 CFU/g
• 100,000 CFU/g
Typically reported as:
Colony Forming Units per Gram (CFU/g)
Examples:
• <10 CFU/g
• 100 CFU/g
• 1,000 CFU/g
Results may also be reported using alternative formats depending on the testing method.
Elevated APC may indicate:
A high APC result does not automatically indicate sanitation failures.
Elevated Total Coliforms may indicate:
A high Total Coliform result often prompts further investigation into manufacturing conditions.
Yes.
This is very common.
High APC / Low Total Coliforms
May indicate: Natural microbial populations, shelf-life concerns, product quality challenges without significant sanitation concerns.
Low APC / Elevated Total Coliforms
May indicate: Localized sanitation concerns, environmental contamination, hygiene issues even when total microbial populations remain relatively low.
Elevated APC / Elevated Total Coliforms
May indicate: Product quality concerns, sanitation issues, process control challenges. Additional investigation may be warranted.
Both tests are considered indicator organism tests.
Neither test directly determines the presence of:
Salmonella spp.
Listeria monocytogenes
Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7
Pathogen testing must be performed separately.
However, indicator organism testing often provides early warning signs that process improvements may be required.
Determine whether the result represents a trend.
Evaluate process controls and operating conditions.
Assess cleaning effectiveness and environmental controls.
Determine whether raw materials contributed to results.
Additional testing may include: Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Yeast & Mold, Food Pathogen Testing, Environmental Monitoring.
"APC And Total Coliforms Measure The Same Thing"
False.
Each test evaluates different aspects of product quality and hygiene.
"A High APC Means Pathogens Are Present"
False.
APC measures total microorganisms, not specific pathogens.
"A Positive Total Coliform Result Means Food Is Unsafe"
False.
The result may indicate sanitation or hygiene concerns but does not automatically indicate pathogen contamination.
"One Test Replaces The Other"
False.
Both tests provide valuable information and are often used together.
Aerobic Plate Count (APC) and Total Coliform testing provide complementary information.
Together they help manufacturers:
Monitor product quality
Evaluate sanitation effectiveness
Assess ingredient quality
Improve process controls
Support shelf-life studies
Strengthen food safety programs
The greatest value comes from evaluating results together rather than relying on a single indicator.
A test used to estimate the total population of aerobic microorganisms within a sample.
A group of bacteria commonly used as indicators of sanitation effectiveness and hygiene conditions.
No. APC measures total microorganisms and does not identify specific pathogens.
Not necessarily. The result may indicate sanitation concerns that require investigation.
Often yes. Together they provide a more complete understanding of product quality and hygiene conditions.
Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Yeast & Mold, and Food Pathogen Testing.
PBR Laboratories provides Aerobic Plate Count (APC) testing, Total Coliform testing, Enterobacteriaceae testing, food microbiology testing, shelf-life studies, and food pathogen testing services throughout Alberta, Western Canada, and Canada.
Contact PBR to discuss microbiological results, sanitation verification programs, process control challenges, shelf-life objectives, and food safety requirements.
Choose PBR – Because Precision Matters, Defining Excellence in Laboratory Services Since 1984.