Sonoma County Home | Site Map | Contact Us | Search

Public Health Regional Laboratory: Testing Services

Shellfish Meat Testing

This testing service is available to the general public, water agencies, shellfish growers, and environmental health inspectors in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake counties.

Testing Method

Shellfish meat is tested using State and FDA approved methods for detection and identification of:

• Fecal coliforms
• Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Specimens

Submit at least 10 animals (ie: oysters), or enough to provide 200 grams of testing material when shucked.

Specimen Storage

Regrigerate at 1 to 4 degrees centigrade. Deliver to laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Specimen Transport

Specimens may be dropped off by courier at the laboratory during normal business hours. Please telephone the laboratory before bringing in samples.

Testing Results

Results are available within 2 to 3 normal working days after receipt of specimen at the laboratory. A written report will be provided for all specimens received.

Specimen Submission Forms

Use the Bacteriological Examination of Water - Blue Slip for general testing, and the Grey Slip for water systems reporting to agencies.

Cost

Please call for current pricing.