CRITERION™ Standard Methods Agar (Plate Count Agar) by Hardy Diagnostics is a general-purpose culture medium used for the enumeration of viable microorganisms in dairy products, food, water, and materials of sanitary importance. This medium provides a nutritionally balanced environment for the growth of nonfastidious bacteria, supporting accurate total microbial count assessments.

Standard Methods Agar is formulated in accordance with the American Public Health Association (APHA) and Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products and Water, making it a trusted choice in regulatory and industrial microbiology laboratories.

The CRITERION™ Dehydrated Culture Media line by Hardy Diagnostics ensures high solubility, consistent performance, and easy handling through its wide-mouth, stackable container design and ISO 13485 / cGMP-certified manufacturing standards.

Features and Benefits:
• Ideal for total viable count determination in food, water, and environmental samples
• Formulated according to APHA and AOAC specifications
• Provides consistent recovery of nonfastidious bacteria
• Easy-to-dissolve formulation ensures fast media preparation
• Wide-mouth bottle and ergonomic grip minimize dust and spillage
• Available in multiple container sizes (500g, 2kg, 10kg, and 2L Mylar® pre-measured bags)
• Excellent clarity for colony visualization and enumeration
• Backed by Hardy Diagnostics’ technical expertise and ISO 13485 quality assurance