| Standard | Scope | Key Difference | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Surface sampling techniques | How to apply the swab/plate. | | ISO 7218 | General microbiology lab requirements | Where to incubate (incubator specs). | | ISO 11133 | Quality of culture media | What to put in the agar. | | ISO 4833 | Enumeration of microorganisms | How to count colonies post-sampling. |

[ ] Contact Plate / [ ] Swab / [ ] Sponge / [ ] Cloth Surface Condition: [ ] Wet / [ ] Dry

The International Standard ISO 18593 provides guidelines for the microbiological analysis of food and animal feed products. The standard, titled "Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs — Horizontal method for enumeration of microorganisms", was first published in 2004 and was last updated in 2020.

: Sampling for animal carcasses is governed by ISO 17604.