A device (1) for detecting the bacterial charge in a liquid or semi-liquid food product comprises a main containment body (2), an analysis chamber (3), located inside the containment body (2) and designed to contain a certain quantity of product to be examined, one or more heating means (4) designed to heat the product inside the analysis chamber (3), at least one temperature sensor (5) designed to monitor the temperature of the product inside the analysis chamber (3) and sensor means (6) designed to detect the impedance in the product inside the analysis chamber (3). The analysis chamber (3) has an elongate shape and extends along a principal axis (3a), while the one or more heating means (4) are symmetrical about a plane at right angles to the principal axis (3a).