For over 60 years, the ICMSF has been actively contributing to the development and communication of scientific concepts to help reduce the incidence of microbiological foodborne illness and food spoilage.

ICMSF Workshop at IAFP 2025

28 July 2025

The ICMSF hosted a well-attended workshop titled “Useful Microbiological Sampling and Testing in Food Safety” as part of the IAFP Annual Meeting in Cleveland on Saturday, 25 July 2025.

Read on

LAS-ICMSF webinar recording

18 June 2025

Watch a recording of the recent LAS-ICMSF Food Safety Webinar, “Gap or perspective? Different views on microbiological sampling plans for food in Latin American countries,” held on 17 June 2025.

Read on

Marcel Zwietering awarded the Europe Food Safety Award

6 May 2025

Congratulations to Dr Marcel Zwietering for receiving the Europe Food Safety Award during IAFP’s European Symposium on Food Safety held in Spain this month.

Read on

Resources

Books
Microorganisms in Foods books provide practical guidance on microbiological food safety and quality.
Articles and Papers
Published papers and articles about ICMSF study results.
Videos
Videos on ICMSF history and microbiological sampling, testing and related topics.
Software
Microbiological sampling plans: a tool to explore ICMSF recommendations.

Upcoming events

Dubai International Food Safety Conference

17 to 19 November 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

As one of the world’s largest food safety events, this annual gathering features scientific sessions, symposia, workshops, poster presentations, and special programmes tailored for food regulators, industry professionals, researchers, and students.

Conference website

2026 IAFP Annual Meeting

26 to 29 July 2026, New Orleans, Louisiana

Each year, the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) hosts an Annual Meeting, providing attendees with information on current and emerging food safety issues, the latest science, innovative solutions to new and recurring problems, and the opportunity to network.

Meeting website

The International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF, the Commission) was formed in 1962 through the action of the International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene, a committee of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS). Through the IUMS, the ICMSF is linked to the International Union of Biological Societies (IUBS) and to the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations.