Food Industry, News

NF VALIDATION (Food): what’s new for April 2026

On April 2nd, 2026, the NF VALIDATION mark was awarded to 140 food microbiology analysis methods, validated according to the ISO 16140-2: 2016 protocol and its amendment A1 (2024).

In addition, 2 antibiotic residue screening methods have been validated in accordance with the AFNOR Certification antibiotic validation protocol.

On the advice and recommendations of the Food Technical Board (relative majority vote) of the NF VALIDATION brand of 1 and 2 April 2026, AFNOR Certification has approved :

◾The renewal of the following methods:

  • VIDAS® Listeria, VIDAS® Listeria Monocytogenes 2 (30°C Fraser), Gélose CampyFood (CFA), VIDAS® Salmonella (Dual selective enrichment), VIDAS® Campylobacter (CAM) of the company bioMérieux,
  • Neogen® Petrifilm® Coliformes (totaux), Neogen® Petrifilm® Coliformes (gazogènes) et Neogen® Petrifilm® Coliformes (thermot. Gaz+non gaz) of the company Neogen Food Safety Corporation,
  • And Thermo Scientific™ Listeria Precis™ (Detection Listeria species) of the company OXOID SAS.

◾The extension of the methods:

  • Neogen® Petrifilm® Rapid Coliform Count Plate (Neogen Food Safety Corporation) to allow coliforms to be enumerated within 14 to 26 hours using a single plate: use of the One Plate for testing,
  • EZ-Check Salmonella spp. (BIO-RAD) to allow the addition of specific protocols for the following categories:

◽ Infant milk powders and cereals (375g samples),

◽ Heated dairy products (375g samples),

◽ Raw meat (375g samples).

  • iQ-Check™ Salmonella spp. (BIO-RAD) to allow the addition of a specific protocol for the heated dairy products category to the matrix scope covered by the iQ-Check™ Salmonella spp. method, for 375g samples enriched with skimmed milk.
  • BACGene GO Salmonella (Gold Standard Diagnotics) to extend the scope of application to include the analysis of chocolate and confectionery (375g) as well as pet food and animal feed products (375g).

◾ Updates to the TEMPO® methods from bioMérieux company with the addition of a new, next-generation reading system: the TEMPO®+ Reader.

Our next Agri-Food Technical Board meetings will be held on 24 and 25 June, 30 September and 1 October, and finally, 3 and 4 December 2026.