Food Protection Trends - May 2009 - 293

INduStry ProduCtS DuPont Qualicon Releases New BAX® System Assay for Rapid Vibrio Detection new BAX® system assay from DuPont Qualicon can be used by seafood processors and government laboratories to detect Vibrio in less than 24 hours. The BAX® system Real-Time PCR Assay for Vibrio detects even low levels of three distinct species — V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus — from the same sample. Tested on shrimp, tuna, oysters, scallops and crab, the BAX® system delivers reliable, differentiated results in less than one day, and its performance is equivalent to or better than the reference culture method, which typically takes three to five days. “DuPont Qualicon is constantly finding ways to make food testing faster, more accurate and more convenient,” said Michael Chong, Asia Pacific business manager – DuPont Qualicon. “A 20-hour test for Vibrio will certainly improve operational efficiencies for seafood companies. And that will allow them to make product release decisions more quickly and with confidence.” Vibrio are bacteria typically found in saltwater and unsanitary drinking water, and several species are pathogenic in humans. Consumption of contaminated raw or undercooked shellfish, such as oysters, mussels, clams and scallops, can cause foodborne illness. Open wounds that are exposed to contaminated seawater can also become infected and lead to septicemia, especially in people with liver disease. Over 180,000 people worldwide became ill from V. cholerae infections in 2007, and the current cholera A outbreak in Zimbabwe has already caused more than 60,000 illnesses and 3,100 deaths. Food processing companies around the world rely on the BAX® system to detect pathogens or other organisms in raw ingredients, finished products and environmental samples. The automated system uses leading-edge technology, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, tableted reagents and optimized media to also detect Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, Enterobacter sakazakii, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, and yeast and mold. With certifications and regulatory approvals in the Americas, Asia and Europe, the BAX® system is recognized globally as the most advanced pathogen testing system available to food companies. DuPont Qualicon 800.863.6842 Wilmington, DE www2.dupont.com accidentally contaminating the air sample. The air is sampled by volume (not timed) for higher accuracy and reproducibility. The Basic-Air™ sampler is battery operated and rechargeable (8 hours of operation per charge). Air volume is adjustable and can be set from a sample size of 0 to 9,999 liters at an air flow rate of 100 l/min. Hardy Diagnostics 800.266.2222 Santa Maria, CA www.HardyDiagnostics.com bioMérieux Receives AOAC Research Institute Performance Tested MethodsSM Certification for High Performance VIDAS® Easy SLM (Salmonella) Test he AOAC Research Institute (RI), a subsidiary of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, granted Performance Tested MethodsSM certification to bioMérieux for VIDAS® Easy SLM (Salmonella). The test is a rapid, automated solution that requires fewer steps than traditional methods for Salmonella testing. bioMérieux also submitted the VIDAS Easy SLM (Salmonella) to the recently launched AOAC RI Emergency Response Validation (ERV) program for Salmonella contamination in peanut butter. “In hectic times of product contamination and recalls, we formed the ERV Program to rapidly evaluate and certify investigative methods,” said Scott G. Coates, managing director of AOAC Research Institute. “We are very pleased that bioMérieux has taken the next step in commitment to total quality by participating in the ERV program for Salmonella contamination in peanut butter.” T New Basic-Air™ from Hardy Diagnostics T he new Basic-Air™ is an accurate and affordable “active” microbial air sampler with only the basic features. The Basic-Air™ was designed for users that don’t need all the expensive advanced features that some air samples have, such as connectivity to barcode, plate spinning, or duplicate simultaneous testing capability. The Basic-Air™ utilizes standard 60 mm or 90 mm agar plates which are inexpensive and readily available from Hardy Diagnostics. Each unit comes with a 90 mm plate holder and cover. The unit features a delayed activation mode to avoid the collector from Be sure to mention, “I read about it in Food Protection Trends”! 293 MAY 2009 | FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS

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Food Protection Trends - May 2009

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