Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Testing & AnalysisMicrobiological

Rapid Pathogen Detection Method Helps Lab Meet Customer Needs

October 1, 2009

Whether conducting testing in-house or choosing to contract with an independent reference lab, food processors’ decisions regarding pathogen detection technology and methods play a critical role in their overall food safety program. As a respected microbiology reference lab, TRAC Microbiology of Madison, WI strives to provide customers with the fastest and most accurate pathogen testing results possible. Recently, the lab was faced with a need to upgrade its pathogen detection technology for Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli O157:H7 and Enterobacter sakazakii.

“As market pressures continue to increase, our customers look to us to help them meet their food safety objectives—quickly, with a high degree of sensitivity and with AOAC-approved methods. In the area of pathogen detection, classic cultural methods and even many of the rapid methods no longer meet our customers’ needs,” says Virginia Deibel, TRAC Microbiology CEO. “However, advancements in genetic detection technologies have enabled TRAC to provide the highly accurate next-day results our customers require to remain competitive.” After conducting extensive research and comparing multiple pathogen detection technologies, TRAC decided to invest in the Assurance GDS™ pathogen detection system from BioControl Systems, Inc., a Bellevue, WA-based leader in food safety testing.

Market Demands Accuracy and Next-day Results
When Matt Howard, genetic scientist at TRAC Microbiology, began looking to improve the lab’s pathogen detection program, he knew where to start. “I needed a system that we could be confident would give us accurate results for a full array of pathogens across a wide variety of sample matrices,” explains Howard. “When you combine that with the market demand for next-day test results, it immediately narrowed the field to PCR-based systems.” Because PCR directly targets and amplifies a specific DNA sequence of an organism, it is widely accepted as the most specific and sensitive detection technology currently available.

Due to the critical nature of pathogen testing in food samples, accuracy was at the top of TRAC’s list of performance criteria for TRAC. Thanks to Howard’s background in genetics and past experiences with PCR, he was able to further narrow the list of candidates. “We definitely needed a system that combined the specificity of both primers and probes. Because probes provide sequence-specific detection of the amplified DNA and melting-curve systems rely on non-specific dyes such as SYBR Green, I knew we could have greater confidence in results from a probe-based assay,” he states. “Additionally, results from a probe-based system don’t require the subjective interpretation often necessary to determine the results of melting curves.”

Performance Factors Essential in Method Selection
However, there were many other factors that had to be considered before making a final decision, including AOAC approvals, ease of use, reliability and of course, cost. While some systems were able to satisfy one or two of these requirements, Assurance GDS proved to be the only system that could satisfy all of TRAC Microbiology’s stringent performance criteria.

The system takes advantage of advances in sample preparation techniques and molecular biology to provide a high degree of accuracy. The system provides three levels of specificity, which include immunomagnetic separation (IMS) during sample preparation to concentrate the sample and remove PCR inhibitors, highly specific primers and patented DNA probes, which ensure accurate detection of the target organism. Combined, these features provide the accuracy that TRAC personnel were looking for.

The single-step enrichments and simple sample-prep procedures of the Assurance GDS system produce a streamlined workflow that was easily implemented in TRAC’s lab. The shortened enrichment times and the innovative multi-channel rotary cycler combined to yield results faster than other PCR methods.

Implementing this system in the lab has proven very beneficial to TRAC Microbiology as well as its clients. “The advanced technology and inherent accuracy of Assurance GDS complements TRAC’s position and reputation as an innovative leader in testing, research, auditing and consulting,” says Howard. “We have, of course, been able to improve our service to existing clients and gain new clients based on our ability to confidently provide faster results.”

The ease and efficiency of the assay protocols has enabled TRAC Microbiology to substantially reduce the amount of hands-on labor and time required for pathogen testing, helping to greatly improve the company’s lab operations. The ability to obtain next-day results for both food and environmental samples offers tremendous value to food processors as well. These faster pathogen test results allow organizations to confidently release product sooner, maximizing shelf-life and reducing inventory holding costs. Additionally, faster results for environmental samples allow processors to identify and address potential problem areas in the plant sooner, reducing the quantity of product potentially exposed to a possible source of contamination.

www.biocontrolsys.com
 


Author(s): BioControl Systems

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Food Type
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Sanitation
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Management
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

Corporate manager talking with factory employees

Turning Resistance into Opportunity: Motivating Change in the Food Industry

Image of baby being fed infant formula

HHS Budget Request Beats Familiar Drum

Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.

Staying Compliant With FSMA

Events

June 26, 2025

How to Design and Conduct Challenge Studies for Safer Products and Longer Shelf Life

Live: June 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn how to conduct challenge studies for microbial spoilage and pathogen growth, including the common challenges encountered, laboratory selection, and use of predictive models.

July 15, 2025

Hygienic Design Risk Management: Industry Challenges and EHEDG Guidance

Live: July 15, 2025 at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn the importance of hygienic design to ensure food safety and sanitation effectiveness.

May 11, 2026

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • refracted light

    Light-Based Pathogen Detection Method Can Give Results for Multiple Pathogens in One Hour

    See More
  • Easy-to-Use, Affordable, Same-Day Method for Rapid Detection of Indicator Bacteria

    See More
  • microscope

    Study Demonstrates Accuracy of Rapid Foodborne Pathogen Detection Using AI

    See More
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing