Cardboard Food packaging microbiological limits

I am trying to find some guidance and microbiological limits on cardboard food packaging. We manufacture both primary and secondary contact packaging and have been carrying out swab testing every 3 months. However, my predecessor has documented salmonella, listeria and coliform limits at <1 which seems extremely low given that our swab results are coming back at <10. Any advice is appreciated.

I am trying to find some guidance and microbiological limits on cardboard food packaging. We manufacture both primary and secondary contact packaging and have been carrying out swab testing every 3 months. However, my predecessor has documented salmonella, listeria and coliform limits at <1 which seems extremely low given that our swab results are coming back at <10. Any advice is appreciated.

Try this thread -

https://www.ifsqn.co...ing/#entry51255

I anticipate that <1(unitX) and < 10(unitZ) either have different units or both represent a "nil"  detection but by different methods.

Method / calc. details required to interpret.

Thanks Charles. Our food safety documentation does not state what the units are. The test results are <10 cfu/swab (APHA 3.8/APHA 9.73).

It seems that there is insufficient research to establish what the limits should be for board packaging.

Thanks again for your time

Thanks Charles. Our food safety documentation does not state what the units are. The test results are <10 cfu/swab (APHA 3.8/APHA 9.73).

It seems that there is insufficient research to establish what the limits should be for board packaging.

Thanks again for your time

Well, it's true there is a lack of data, but one might tentatively suggest -

TVC < 1 / cm²

Coliforms < 1 / cm²

zero-tolerant pathogens (eg Salmonella, L.monocytogenes) "not detected" / 100 cm²

^{Unfortunately, swab-based data is only useful for comparitive purposes if the area is included.}

^{JFI, here is a much wider presentation for environmental surfaces -}

^{https://www.ifsqn.co...ces/#entry60958}