Comparison of modified A-1 method with standard EC test for recovery of fecal coliform bacteria for shellfish

This study is one of a series in which variations of the A-1 method for the detection and enumeration of fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli in seawater and foods were evaluated. The tests were conducted jointly by the Food and Drug Administration and state and provincial laboratories that support shellfish control programs in the United States and Canada as part of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program's Microbiology Task Force activities. Results showed significantly higher recovery of fecal coliforms from naturally contaminated shellfish by the AOAC official A-1-M method than by the American Public Health Association standard method. There was no significant difference in recovery of E. coli by the 2 methods.