Standardization of Milk Plating Media. Report of the Coordinating Committee on Laboratory Methods

Abstract

Report of the Coordinating Committee on Laboratory Methods IN THE 11th edition of "'Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products,"* provision was made to begin recommending the use of certified milk plating media. The certification procedures were to be carried out by the Microbiological Media Commission under a plan which was to meet the approval of the American Public Health Association. In January, 1961, the APHA held a conference with the representatives of the microbiological media manufacturers and several organizations to discuss the problems arising from the proposed plan. This conference resulted in a request that the Coordinating Committee on Laboratory Methods give further consideration to the certification or standardization of media and make recommendations on the position which should be taken by the APHA. The Coordinating Committee on Laboratory Methods met in June, 1961, and made recommendations to the APHA. These recommendations served as the basis for the APHA's position which was published in July, 1961, containing the following: "(1) Some form of standardization or certification of milk plating medium is essential. " (2) The APHA should take the responsibility for providing this. "(3) The CCLM of the Committee on Evaluation and Standards should be asked to work out in detail the method for achieving standardization or certification." The Coordinating Committee on Laboratory Methods appointed an ad hoc committee on the standardization of milk plating media consisting of: William G.