Hygiena, a global leader in rapid hygiene and food safety testing systems, has been awarded Performance Tested MethodsSM certification (number 031501) from the AOAC Research Institute for MicroSnap Total. The AOAC validation and certification study included the following: raw and ready-to-eat products of fresh ground beef, raw chicken, raw cow milk, prepackaged iceberg lettuce leaves and fresh cream cake. This novel test is the first to detect and enumerate total aerobic bacteria and give results within a working shift.
MicroSnap Total is a small, simple, low cost detection system that detects down to 1–10 bacteria in seven hours, while detecting high numbers in as little as one or two hours. The test can be applied to raw materials, finished products (solid and liquid) and environmental samples. Processors can now collect samples at the beginning of a typical eight-hour shift and get results within seven hours to verify product quality or take corrective actions as necessary.
Knowing results by the end of the working day allows businesses to react to contamination in a timely manner, release products with confidence and reduce inventory costs.
Preventive measures to control food safety and quality are recognised by regulatory agencies, and the US FDA Food Safety Modernisation Act places greater emphasis on environmental monitoring for food processors. Accordingly, MicroSnap Total meets the needs of food processors for a rapid, convenient and affordable environmental microbiology screening test kit.
MicroSnap Total is a two-device test platform consisting of both enrichment and detection devices. The entire assay is run from start to finish in seven hours with a 15 second read time. Compared with traditional plate count methods (giving results in two–three days), MicroSnap has a large dynamic range, which means that material and labour costs are reduced.
In-house testing is now simple and easy, giving timely results for better management and control with significant cost savings compared with outsourcing. MicroSnap Total joins other Hygiena AOAC-certified tests for coliforms and E. coli. Other products from Hygiena include the world’s best-selling ATP monitoring systems and UltraSnap ATP test devices.
