Used in microbiological testing to detect and differentiate Escherichia coli and other coliform bacteria in water, food, and environmental samples. The medium contains chromogenic substrates that produce distinct colony colors, allowing for easy identification—typically, E. coli forms blue to violet colonies while other coliforms form pink or red colonies. This selective and differential property enables rapid screening without the need for confirmatory tests. Widely applied in drinking water safety, wastewater monitoring, and quality control in the food and beverage industry due to its accuracy, simplicity, and reduced testing time compared to traditional methods.