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Technology Advances Environmental Testing With FDA’s increased focus on environmental monitoring and testing and FSMA rules pending, “we expect to see an increase in environmental monitoring since processors can find potential contamination further upstream in the process before end product becomes adulterated,” said Meredith Sutzko, food safety product manager for Romer Labs. The main focus of the monitoring program should be on areas surrounding the processing equipment commonly called Zones 2-3. Pay particular attention to areas that may harbor potential pathogen growth niches which can find their way to the equipment, the food contact surfaces on the equipment, and potentially, then, the food itself, she said, adding, “The goal is to detect the pathogens as early as possible and take corrective action to eliminate them.” With the focus on ever-shorter time to results, many plants seek methods they can use in the processing facility and reduce product hold, Sutzko said. For this reason, the immunoassay-based lateral flow methods are a common methodology used for environmental testing, due to their cost effectiveness, fast time to results, flexibility, and validated accuracy. Recent technological advances in food safety testing have resulted in significant advances for environmental testing programs, said Erin Dreyling, director of government and scientific affairs at Roka Bioscience. “One such AOAC RI-validated Listeria spp. assay offers a result in as little as 27.5 hours due to the use of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) as an assay target and an amplification step called Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA),” she explained. Targeting rRNA offers increased sensitivity because there can be up to 10,000 copies of a targeted rRNA versus one copy of its DNA. TMA is unique in that the entire reaction is performed at the same temperature; it can amplify DNA or RNA; it has very rapid kinetics; and it can be combined with a Hybridization Protection Assay for endpoint detection or with molecular torches for real-time detection. “This technology also offers an upfront, molecular Target Capture step which eliminates assay inhibition due to neutralizing buffers commonly used in environmental testing,” Dreyling said. |
Syngenta
www.SyngentaPMP.com
Arilon insecticide from Syngenta controls ants and other pests in and around multiple-use sites, including food-handling establishments, when used in accordance to the label, the company said, adding that Arilon provides for versatile applications with few treatment limitations. According to Syngenta, studies show Arilon can work to quickly achieve comprehensive pest control. While the initial knockdown can be slower than older, traditional contact insecticides, this delay in action allows pests to carry the product back to the colony, infecting others and providing thorough control. The mode of action targets the insect’s metabolic system, which allows the active ingredient to differentiate between target insects and non-target organisms, the company said, adding that Arilon offers non-repellent insect control across a variety of use patterns and has been proven to provide control on a wide variety of surfaces such as stainless steel, ceramic tile, painted surfaces, etc.
BASF
www.pestcontrol.basf.us/
Stored product pests can create problems and revenue loss for many commercial establishments. Whether it’s invading stored food products or contaminating foods or surfaces, the pests can be controlled with BASF Pest Control Solutions products, the company said. Prescription Treatment brand Allure MD Mating Disruption System for Stored Product Moths is a proactive prevention treatment for stored product moths. It uses mating disruption technology that limits the male moths’ ability to locate and mate with females. This treatment controls a variety of moths, including Indian Meal Moths, and works well in areas such as food processing plants, warehouses, and retail stores, the company said. Allure MD is an environmentally sound option for control of stored product moths, is registered in all states, and may be used in food-handling areas.
SafetyChain
www.safetychain.com
SafetyChain Software, a food safety chain management system that helps ensure food safety and quality compliance while creating operational efficiencies, has introduced SafetyChain Mobile, a food safety and quality assurance (FSQA) solution designed to automate, streamline, and improve FSQA processes from farm to fork. SafetyChain Mobile sends and receives information from the company’s SafetyChain for Food FSQA suite, allowing suppliers/growers, manufacturers/co-packers, distributors/importers, and food services/retailers to go paperless from the earliest point possible in a company’s FSQA processes, the company said. It records quality attributes on mobile forms directly from a distribution center or processing plant and gets information to the right people in real time enabling immediate assessment, action, and response. Key features include: automatic date/time stamping and uploading of remotely entered inspection and other information; electronic form capture; scheduling of tasks and alerts; comparison of entered data to specifications and non-compliance alerts; and multiple language options.
PolyCo
www.PolyCoUSA.com
PolyCo is the U.S. manufacturer of VRTM vinyl-free protective apparel which provides for four to six times the average life of similar (vinyl) products, but is 100% recyclable, the company said. The material provides strength and puncture resistance as well as maximized user protection. Free of vinyl and latex, VR has been clinically tested to offer resistance to fats, oils, and chemicals such as nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric, and hydrofluoric acids. Containing no toxic substances or plasticizers. VR can be recycled, land filled, or incinerated without harming the environment. VR protective wear consists of lightweight reusable, disposable garments including aprons, boot covers, sleeve gloves, gowns, shoe covers, sleeves, and rainwear.
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