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!
Sanitation

Simple Rapid Trend Analysis Controls Risks

April 1, 2008

Risk assessment for food safety and hygiene have traditionally used microbiological methods; however, these methods are time consuming and do not produce results for immediate feedback, corrective action and process control. Furthermore, when compared to other test measurements, the results of microbiological tests are highly variable and imprecise even under ideal conditions, such that the uncertainty of measurement is significant.[1,2]

It is now widely accepted that alternative risk assessment techniques, such as ATP bioluminescence, provide a more direct relevant measurement of cleanliness and risk to manufacturing processes. Effective cleaning is an essential component of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) guidelines and is a pre-requirement for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) activities. In fact, ATP monitoring has changed the way food safety programs operate, delivering real-time sanitation data on the spot and enabling cleaning teams to make informed decisions instantly about the cleanliness of equipment and facilities. Unlike traditional culture tests that take 24 to 48 hours to grow, ATP tests deliver results in mere seconds, alerting sanitation staff to the presence of bacteria and organic materials before they sanitize.

The food processing plant’s ability to obtain environmental monitoring results so quickly is a powerful tool in real-time risk decision-making, but today’s food companies require ways to make data more meaningful for in-depth risk assessments aimed at prevention, rather than reaction. Today, the instant objective results that are provided by an ATP monitoring instrument in the form of numerical output and electronic data capture can be downloaded to facilitate the use of analytical techniques for trend analysis and process control that meet this demand.

Trending Made Easy to Enhance Food Safety
Hygiena’s Sure Trend software provides simple, rapid trend analysis and control charts for food hygiene and risk management. The new Sure Trend software is configured for use with Hygiena’s SystemSURE Plus instrument, which provides a rapid detection system with the lowest background noise to minimize sources of variation that otherwise produce misleading trends in other systems. A simple data download procedure ensures that no data is lost or corrupted. The Re-test features tags results so they can be instantly traced both on the instrument and in the software to identify areas of concern. Search-and-sort activities can be generated quickly and easily from the main unlimited database based on any of the 16 data parameters including sample location (x250), sample plans (x20) and named users (x50).

In addition, the Report Output Wizard is a graphing function that contains more than 20 different report formats for the user to choose from and each can be launched by a simple one-button function. Accordingly, there is no need to set up filters or have multi-screen tabs linked to other external running software. The Report Output Wizard guides the user through the report generation and also enables the user to customize and store their own report format. The simple archive and import/export functions enable data and reports to be transferred to other documents or laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Statistical data can be displayed by selecting a range of database records or highlighting a specific sample location and then selecting the Statistics option from the Reports menu. Each of the selected database records is then analyzed and the overall statistical data calculated and displayed. Displayed data includes the total number of tests slected, percentage and number of “Pass,” “Caution” and /or “Fail” results, percentage and number of normal tests, repeat readings, “Fails” retested and retest results, as well as the minimum, average and maximum RLUs reading. There are four pre-set report types in the main menu that will instantly launch the most commonly requested reports (i.e., the number of Pass/Caution/Fails for all data by Location; the number of Pass/Caution/Fails for trend analysis; the number of Pass/Caution/Fails by user; and the number of Fails only by location). These pre-set reports can be customized to suit the user’s own preference. Color-key pie charts can be generated as visual reports showing cleanliness trends for specific areas in the plant over selected 5-day, 10-day, monthly or customized time periods.

The Sure Trend software for the SystemSURE Plus instrument incorporates the basic features of statistical process control (SPC). Food processing plants benefit from accurate environmental monitoring surveillance and feedback for keeping in control, instant alerts when a problem with the process has occurred and detection of causes of variation in the process onsite. Users also gain critical information needed to enhance the monitoring of process quality and reduce the need for inspection. The value-added software provides a mechanism to make process changes and track the effects of those changes, offering the plant an improved way to conduct process capability analysis with an objective measurement for continuous improvement.

www.hygiena.net

References
1. Jarvis, B. A.J. Hedges and J.E. Correy. 2007. Int J Food Microbiol. 116 (1): 44-51.
2. Health Protection Agency. 2005. Guidance Note QSOP 4. Uncertainty of Measurement in Testing. www.hpa-standardmethods.org.uk/documents/qsop/pdf/qsop4.pdf.


Author(s): Hygiena

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...
    Testing & Analysis
    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...
    Training
    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
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

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

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

sunflower oil

Louisiana Passes ‘MAHA’ Bill Targeting More Than 40 Ingredients, Including Seed Oils, Dyes, Sweeteners

smoked salmon in oil

Study Shows Food Type Significantly Affects Listeria’s Ability to Survive Digestion, Cause Sickness

Justin Ransom and Denise Eblen

USDA-FSIS Announces Dr. Justin Ransom as New Administrator

Events

July 15, 2025

Hygienic Design Risk Management: Industry Challenges and Global Insights

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.

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

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

  • Essentials of Hazard Analysis for Process Preventive Controls: Part 1

    See More
  • Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls (HARPC): The New GMP for Food Manufacturing

    See More
  • Essentials of Hazard Analysis for Process Preventive Controls: Part 2

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 1118396308.jpg

    High Throughput Analysis for Food Safety

  • Food-Forensics-3D.jpg

    Food Forensics Handbook Practice, Instrumentation, Case Studies

  • 9781498721776.jpg

    Handbook of Food Processing: Food Safety, Quality, and Manufacturing Processes

See More Products
×

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