Microbiological Testing

Microbial contamination poses one of the most serious health risks in cannabis products. Our comprehensive microbiological testing screens for harmful bacteria, yeast, mold, and dangerous pathogens that can cause illness in consumers, particularly those with compromised immune systems.

What We Test For

We analyze samples using validated enumeration and pathogen detection methods to identify and quantify microbial contamination:

  • Total Aerobic Microbial Count: General indicator of overall microbial load and sanitation practices
  • Total Yeast and Mold: Fungal contamination that can produce harmful toxins or cause spoilage
  • Enterobacteriaceae: Family of bacteria including common pathogens; indicator of fecal
  • Salmonella species: Dangerous pathogen that causes severe gastrointestinal illness
  • Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC): Pathogenic bacteria that can cause serious, sometimes fatal
  • Listeria monocytogenes: Life-threatening pathogen particularly dangerous for pregnant women
  • Aspergillus species: Mold genus that produces dangerous mycotoxins and can cause respiratory illness

Pass/Fail Criteria

Minnesota regulations establish specific limits for each contaminant type, varying by product category (flower, concentrate, edibles). Products must meet or fall below these thresholds to pass microbiological testing. Our laboratory uses sample enrichment and confirmatory methods to definitively identify pathogens when screening tests indicate their presence.

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    Water Activity Testing

    We also measure water activity (Aw), which indicates the amount of moisture available for microbial growth. Flower products must have Aw < 0.65, and edible products must have Aw < 0.85 to prevent microbial proliferation during storage.

    Medical vs. Adult Use

    High microbial counts in medical cannabis automatically fail testing. For adult-use products, elevated counts trigger an investigation and corrective action requirements before product release.

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