Reconsideration of flexibility in verifying rapid alternative food microbiological methods

Method comparison criteria for validating novel microbiology methods are discussed for aerobic plate count of fish samples using two rapid alternative methods (dissolved oxygen and automated MPN methods) and a reference method (AOAC 966.23, pour plate method). Results revealed that the present AOAC and ISO 16140 criteria such as requiring strict consistency in pairwise comparison may lead to overly strict validation disallowing advantageous rapid alternative methods in food microbiology. Pairwise comparison was not suitable for validating alternative microbiology methods, but the linear regression analysis followed by checking the fit to an ideal regression line was appropriate and easy-to-understand for validating the tested rapid alternative microbiology methods. Further discussion on an international level would benefit the development and use of rapid alternative methods.