How to Test Food for Bacteria with an Aerobic Plate Count (APC) Test
The Aerobic Plate Count — sometimes called a Standard Plate Count (SPC) or Total Plate Count (TPC) — is a trusted way to measure the general bacterial load in solid food. SimpleLab's Aerobic Plate Count Food Test certified mail-to-lab test delivers accurate results on food quality and sanitation that DIY kits simply can’t match.
How Do You Test for Aerobic Plate Count in Food?
Testing for APC in food requires a standardized microbiological method of analysis. With SimpleLab’s Aerobic Plate Count Food Test Kit, you’ll receive everything needed to properly collect your sample and send it to our accredited laboratory. The process is simple:
- Collect a food sample using the provided sterile materials.
- Return your sample with prepaid overnight shipping.
- Our lab analyzes the sample using AOAC Method 990.12, providing results in colony forming units per gram (CFU/g).
Results are available in about five (5) business days after your sample arrives at the lab. Unlike do-it-yourself tests or at-home kits, this certified method ensures precise, science-based results.
Who Is This Test Right for?
The Aerobic Plate Count Food Test is ideal for:
- Food producers and processors monitoring quality control
- Restaurants and caterers ensuring safe handling and storage practices
- Quality assurance teams in charge of product hygiene, safety, transport and storage
If you need a reliable assessment of bacteria in food:
Aerobic Plate Count Food Test
$97.00
Frequently Asked Questions
What does aerobic plate count (APC) measure?
APC measures the total number of aerobic bacteria in a food sample, serving as an indicator of general food quality and hygiene.
Why should I choose a lab test instead of DIY strips?
DIY strips and disks cannot deliver accurate or quantifiable results. Only certified laboratory testing provides reliable data that meets scientific standards.
How quickly will I get results?
Return shipping is overnight, and the lab reports results within five business days of receiving your sample.
What does one kit include?
Each kit tests a single solid food sample and comes with sterile sampling tools, prepaid shipping, easy instructions, certified lab analysis, and a digital report.
Questions? Contact Us
SimpleLab makes certified microbial testing easy and accessible.
If you have any questions about testing with SimpleLab, reach out to our customer support team any time.
The SimpleLab Standard
-
Proven Reliability: SimpleLab partners with North America's leading analytical institutions—including Eurofins, Pace Analytical, SGS, and Microbac—each with their own rigorous quality control protocols to ensure top-tier accuracy. Our certified labs are located across all 50 states, making logistics a breeze.
-
Simplified Sampling: Every kit includes professional-grade materials, clear instructions, automated chain of custody, and free return shipping— making accurate testing effortless.
-
Seamless Experience: We combine human support with automated logistics to help make complex lab analyses accessible to all. From our user interface to our lab reports, we ensure a time-saving, frustration-free process.
Serving as the Chief Science Officer at SimpleLab, Jess Goddard spearheads the scientific program at Tap Score, overseeing all analytical products and services. With a Ph.D. in water resources and a Master's in environmental engineering from UC Berkeley, Jess brings a wealth of expertise to the team. Her leadership ensures the highest standards in our scientific endeavors, contributing to the excellence that defines SimpleLab and Tap Score. When away from her desk, Jess enjoys reading and being outside.
About SimpleLab
SimpleLab combines world-class laboratory science with customer service to ensure testing your environment is simple, fast and factual. Everything we do is driven by data and supported by a team of experts ready to answer your questions.
