Def. A pad of cotton or other absorbent material attached to the end of a Wire or stick, used for applying medication, removing material and bacteriological material etc.

Parameters:

• Total plate count
• Yeast & mold
• Coliforms
• Pseudomonas aureus
• E.coli
• Salmonella
• Shigella

Take care not to contaminate the end or shaft of the swab on anything other than what you are swabbing. Whilst swabbing, use a twisting technique and move the swab across the palm covering as much of the palm as possible, also swab in-between 1 or 2 of the fingers.

• Pest control
• Health check-up of food handlers
• Provision of soap for hand-washing
• Gloves and headgear for food handlers
• Lack of quality cleanliness and sanitation agents
• Employ untrained staff unaware of personal hygiene standard.
• Regular testing of food and water
• Inspection of kitchen and dining premises
• Inspection of kitchen surfaces, equipment, cutting boards
• Proper pest and insect control measures
• Proper garbage disposal

A swab is used for the microbiological recovery of bacteria. They are useful for the recovery of aerobic, anaerobic and fastidious organisms. Swab samples offer clients the option of safe and efficient transport of bacteria from the sampling outlet to a laboratory for analysis.