This document provides comprehensive guidance on best practices for Salmonella detection in seasoning and spices. It covers various aspects of the testing process, including sampling procedures, sample size, detection methods, confirmation methods, verifying rapid methods, pre-enrichment and selective enrichment media handling, and selection criteria for third-party labs and internal lab quality systems. The guidance also emphasizes the importance of adhering to internationally recognized standards such as ISO and AOAC and ensuring proper training and quality control measures to ensure accurate and reliable test results.

This report summarizes the results of a study to determine the performance of three Salmonella enumeration methods [Most Probable Number (MPN), Tryptic Soy Agar overlaid with Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate Agar (TSA/XLD), and RAPID' Salmonella agar by spread-plating (RAP-SAL)] based on the recovery of inoculated Salmonella on ASTA-member donated raw garlic and onion samples collected in the summer of 2024.