Testing and analysis help ensure food safety and quality by determining if pathogens, chemicals, or allergen residues are present in the processing environment or food products.
Air and water monitoring involves the monitoring and testing of air and water quality in the processing line of a facility. Test results help determine if acceptable standards are being met for a range of parameters that influence food safety and quality.
Allergen testing seeks to determine the presence of foods or food residues that are classified as allergens in foods or beverages that are not labeled as containing those foods. Class 1 allergens, which encompass the Big 9, are of the greatest concern in allergen testing.
Chemical testing and analysis examine the artificial or undesired chemicals that may make their way into food and water, including those from agricultural practices, food processing, or packaging.
Environmental testing involves the microbiological sampling of food contact surfaces or nearby areas to test for the presence of pathogens or indicator organisms. An environmental monitoring program (EMP) includes pathogen swabbing to detect risk in the sanitary conditions of the processing environment and is a verification of the effectiveness of pathogen controls in place at a facility.
Laboratory management is concerned with the management of testing procedures, control measures for sampling, reporting of pathogen findings, and laboratory accreditation.
Testing and analysis methods include processes and procedures in use or under development for performing microbiological testing, product sampling, environmental monitoring, etc.
Microbiological testing seeks to identify the presence of bacterial pathogens, viruses, and parasites on food contact surfaces, in agricultural water and soil, and in food products. Frequent swabbing to determine if pathogens are present on food processing equipment is an important part of a sound environmental monitoring program (EMP) at a facility.
Sampling programs for food examine a certain portion or product units of a particular lot of the same food as a representative of the quality and safety of the food. Sample prep for laboratory testing involves the preparation of samples for testing.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded grants to two Florida State University (FSU) professors for projects focused on food safety innovation—specifically, on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to mitigate foodborne antimicrobial resistance, and for the development of a new Salmonella assay.
Between 2017 and 2019, Canadian public health laboratories transitioned to whole genome sequencing (WGS) for foodborne illness outbreak surveillance. A recent study shows the positive impact of this transition of national outbreak detection and response for important foodborne pathogens.
The open access Food Safety Mass Spectral Library, developed by Wageningen University and Research scientists, comprises more than 1,000 chemicals including veterinary drugs, contaminants, pesticides, and natural toxins.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Dr. Carolyn Ross, Professor at Washington State University (WSU) and Director of the WSU Sensory Science Center, about emerging sensory perception technologies and their potential applications for food safety and quality assurance.
Pathotrak has appointed Frank Yiannas, former Deputy Commissioner of Food Policy and Response at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to its Board of Directors.
BeyondPFAS from Veolia North America is a new, end-to-end management solution for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), combining the company’s PFAS treatment and disposal services with expert navigation of regulatory requirements and funding sources.
SGS North America has expanded its food safety and quality assurance testing capacity with the opening of a new, larger and improved facility in Fairfield, New Jersey.
Designed to address key challenges faced by food safety professionals, the new Sampling Plan Module for Hygiena’s SureTrend platform offers a streamlined, efficient approach to sampling management.
A survey of 200 international food processors provides insight into which food safety technologies are being adopted and their effects on daily operations. Part 3 explores the impact and need for further development of testing technologies, focusing on responses from participants outside of North America.
By identifying which manufacturing steps have a higher likelihood of introducing PFAS into the product, manufacturers can focus their monitoring efforts on those weak areas
The final installment in this three-part article series on PFAS discusses how the food industry might look at areas of potential exposure to PFAS, steps it might take to test for and mitigate those risks, and an update on the latest developments in PFAS litigation.