June 20, 2012

InstantLabs' salmonella testing kit certified by AOAC Research Institute

The Salmonella Species Food Safety Kit has been certified by the AOAC Research Institute (AOAC-RI) across four food categories, according to the product's parent firm, InstantLabs Medical Diagnostics.

The kit has been certified for the identification of salmonella in the following foods - whole chicken, ground chicken, ground beef and lettuce.

InstantLabs previously had received the certification for the detection of salmonella in grains.

According to the company, this award follows independent laboratory studies conducted by Food Safety Net Services (FSNS), which is a national network of ISO 17025 accredited testing laboratories.

InstantLabs' kit, which features Hunter Accelerated-PCR system, requires only minimal space and basic training to enable real-time PCR testing at the points-of-need. This system increases efficiency while assuring food safety, the company noted.

InstantLabs chief executive officer Steven Guterman said the use of the company's salmonella assay and Hunter Real-Time PCR system allows poultry and beef processors and produce growers to conduct gold-standard food safety testing at their own facilities, rather than sending samples out to external labs for analysis.

The AOAC Research Institute (AOAC-RI) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AOAC International (AOAC) that administers the AOAC Performance Tested Methods(SM) programme.

The AOAC Performance Tested certification mark is recognised by a variety of organisations and government agencies and is awarded to products that have passed unbiased and rigorous evaluations.

Consumption of food contaminated with salmonella may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may lead to serious and sometimes deadly infections.