A system that indicates the presence or absence of microorganisms in fluid food products. The system has a bottle for receiving sample to be tested. The bottle has a sensor that will monitor and detect changes in at least one sample parameter, but no additives that contain nutrients that support microbial growth. The bottle is placed in an incubator and the sensor in the bottle is monitored for changes. The incubator is programed so that, if the sensor detects that the value of the monitored parameter has reached a certain value, then the sample is determined to be positive for microbial growth.