Hygiena Innovate RapiScreen Dairy and Beverage Kits Achieve AOAC Certification

CAMARILLO, Calif. — Hygiena, a company specializing in rapid microbial detection, monitoring and identification solutions, announced that its Innovate RapiScreen Dairy and Beverage Kits are the first methods to be awarded the AOAC RI Performance Tested Methods (PTM) Certification for the entire product testing workflow.

RAPISCREEN BEVERAGE KIT. Hygiena’s RapiScreen Beverage Kit is a rapid microbial screening solution specifically designed for low pH beverages, including fruit juices, teas, energy drinks, UHT pasteurized products, smoothie mixes and condiments. The system enables quality control results in less than 30 minutes following a preliminary incubation period, reducing product hold time from four to 10 days to one to two days, reports Hygiena.

The Innovate System, underpinning the RapiScreen Kit, detects microbial contamination far quicker than conventional culture methods, Hygiena says, allowing the analysis of up to 96 samples simultaneously. The three-step process, coupled with RapiScreen ATP bioluminescence technology, is used to screen low pH beverages and high temperature liquid fill products, eliminating lengthy plate incubation periods and shortening production times, the manufacturer reports.

RAPISCREEN DAIRY KIT. Given the forecasted surge in the global aseptic food and beverage packaging market, Hygiena's RapiScreen Dairy Kit addresses the challenges posed by traditional processing methods in dairy products. This kit allows quick testing on diverse product matrices, ranging from UHT milks and creams to sauces, soups and broths, juices and beverages, yielding results in less than 30 minutes, reports Hygiena. The Innovate System’s ability to detect low levels of contamination at 24 hours offers cost savings, a reduction in safety stock and warehouse space costs, brand protection and prevention of recall costs, says the manufacturer.

​​​​​​​“Hygiena has been at the forefront of delivering pioneering solutions for more than two decades, committed to shielding consumer brands and products from microbial contamination,” said Steven Nason, CEO, Hygiena. “The ever-expanding beverage industry demands rapid quality management and early preventative controls. The automation and high throughput of our system enable the running of multiple products on a single microtiter plate every half hour, substantially reducing time to results and thereby driving significant savings impacting the bottom line positively.

“RapiScreen is a pivotal enhancement to our diverse portfolio of food and beverage diagnostic solutions, underscoring our commitment to preventing illness and fostering a safer world. This esteemed recognition from AOAC reinforces the credibility and excellence of our Innovate RapiScreen Kits. It empowers food and beverage manufacturers to uphold the highest standards of product quality and operational efficiency, bringing direct and substantial benefits to consumers around the globe.”