July 13, 2010

DuPont Qualicon recently announced certification for its BAX® System test for E. coli O157:H7 in food by the AOAC Research Institute.

The institute has validated this real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, developed in collaboration with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, as a Performance Tested Method for detecting the pathogen in spinach, lettuce, raw ground beef and beef trim with same-day results.

The AOAC Research Institute, a subsidiary of AOAC International in Gaithersberg, Md., provides rigorous evaluation and review of analytical methods before awarding its widely recognised Performance Tested Method certification mark.

"Fast, accurate results are critical when testing perishable products for pathogens," said Luiz Fischmann, global marketing manager of DuPont Qualicon. "This assay was developed to detect all known E. coli O157:H7, even atypical strains, within hours instead of days. Now meat and produce processors that require a certified method for quality control can benefit from BAX^® System speed, accuracy and ease of use."

E. coli O157:H7 are foodborne pathogens that live in the gut of cattle and other ruminant animals. These bacteria produce Shiga toxin, which can cause serious illness when ingested, even in very low doses. Although thorough cooking destroys the pathogen, the US Centres for Disease Control estimates about 70,000 people are infected each year from consuming E. coli O157:H7.