ISO 22174-2024 PDF

Full title and description

Microbiology of the food chain — Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection and quantification of microorganisms — General requirements and definitions. This international standard specifies general requirements for in vitro amplification of nucleic acid sequences (DNA or RNA) applicable to testing for microorganisms and viruses relevant to the food chain.

Abstract

This document sets out minimum requirements intended to ensure comparable and reproducible PCR results between laboratories when detecting and quantifying microorganisms (and viruses) from the food chain. It covers high-level principles for sample types relevant to food and feed (products for human consumption, animal feed, environmental samples in food/feed production and handling, and primary production samples) and defines terms and general quality requirements for PCR workflows.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: 16 August 2024 (ISO publication: 2024-08; effective/publication stage August 16, 2024).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), prepared by ISO/TC 34/SC 9 (Microbiology).
• ICS / categories: 07.100.30 (Food microbiology).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2024).
• Number of pages: 26 pages.

Key bibliographic and lifecycle details above are taken from the ISO record and national adoptions listing for ISO 22174:2024.

Scope

ISO 22174:2024 specifies general requirements for in vitro amplification (PCR) used to detect and quantify microorganisms and viruses relevant to the food chain. The document is applicable to testing of products intended for human consumption, products for feeding animals, environmental samples in food and feed production and handling, and primary production samples. Parts of the document may be applicable to other PCR diagnostic fields subject to case-by-case evaluation.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and terminology for PCR applied to food-chain microbiology (DNA/RNA targets).
• General requirements for assay design, validation and performance characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, limit of detection/quantification, linearity and efficiency).
• Sample handling and nucleic acid extraction considerations to minimize inhibition and contamination.
• Controls and reference materials: positive, negative, inhibition/internal controls and standards for quantification.
• Quality assurance and laboratory practices to ensure reproducibility between laboratories (including routine checks, documentation and traceability).
• Reporting requirements for qualitative and quantitative PCR results (including units, uncertainty and interpretation guidance).
• Recommendations on applicability to different matrix types throughout the food chain and notes on case-by-case adaptation to non-food diagnostic fields.

The list above reflects the general content themes and requirements set out in the standard for PCR testing in the food chain.

Typical use and users

Laboratories performing microbiological testing of food, feed and related environmental samples; public health and veterinary diagnostic laboratories; quality-control and food-safety units in industry; method developers and manufacturers of PCR reagents and instruments; accreditation bodies and proficiency-test providers. Users apply the standard to establish or audit PCR-based workflows, validate assays, and harmonize reporting for surveillance and regulatory testing.

Related standards

ISO 22174:2024 consolidates and replaces earlier documents in this domain; historically related/withdrawn standards include ISO 22174:2005, ISO 20837:2006, ISO 20838:2006 and ISO 22119:2011. It is published under the work of ISO/TC 34/SC 9 and is often used alongside other ISO standards on food microbiology and method validation.

Keywords

PCR; polymerase chain reaction; nucleic acid amplification; food microbiology; detection; quantification; assay validation; controls; method performance; ISO/TC 34/SC 9.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 22174:2024 is an international standard providing general requirements and definitions for the use of PCR to detect and quantify microorganisms and viruses relevant to the food chain.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers high-level requirements for PCR workflows—terminology, assay design and validation, sample handling, controls, quality assurance and reporting to support comparable and reproducible results across laboratories analyzing food, feed and related environmental samples.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Diagnostic and testing laboratories in food safety, public health and veterinary fields; industry quality-control teams; reagent and instrument manufacturers; accreditation and regulatory bodies. These users apply the standard for method setup, validation, routine testing and inter-laboratory comparability.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is current: ISO 22174:2024 was published in August 2024 (Edition 2) and supersedes earlier versions and related withdrawn standards.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the body of ISO standards developed by ISO/TC 34/SC 9 (Microbiology) addressing methods for microbiology of the food chain; related ISO documents cover other methods, validation and matrix-specific guidance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: PCR, polymerase chain reaction, nucleic acid amplification, detection, quantification, food microbiology, assay validation, controls, method performance.