Services - Food Microbiological Analysis
Ensuring the microbiological safety and quality of your food products is of
critical importance to food companies. Strasburger & Siegel is highly
skilled in the microbiology of food.
Strasburger & Siegel’s experienced analysts can identify pathogenic
organisms in food using our fully automated
BAX System, a PCR technology, for pathogen
analysis. Since the quality of food is nearly as important as its safety, we
also test for general microbial population and food spoilage organisms.
We conduct microbiological analysis on canned foods for commercial
sterility.
When the food industry is under pressure from both regulatory agencies and
consumers to reduce the presence of pathogens such as E. Coli 0157:H7, Listeria
monocytogenes, Listeria spp., Salmonella spp., Staph. aureus and some lesser
known but still important microorganisms such as Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter
jejuni, and Vibrio parahemolyticus, in food products, a
microbiological sampling plan of both product and the environment may be
prudent, even if not required.
For more information about microorganisms of significance to the food
industry, see the FDA’s
BAD BUG BOOK.
To ensure the quality of your products it may also be useful to perform
microbiological analysis for indicator and spoilage organisms such as Aerobic
Plate Count, Anaerobic Plate Count, Coliforms, E. Coli, Yeasts, Molds
or Lactobacillus.
What is PCR Technolgy?
Every few years a new, innovative technology becomes available that can either increase the speed of an analysis or increase the accuracy of an analysis. PCR does both. The BAXâ PCR system breaks down samples at the genetic level, using the power of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), amplifies the DNA, allowing the detection and identification of pathogenic bacteria with certainty. This technology significantly reduces false positive results and minimizes conformation testing. This is an USDA/FSIS and AOAC approved technology.
We are currently using the BAX® system PCR technology for the analysis of Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli 0157:H7, and Campylobacter jejuni.
For a more complete list of our Microbiological Analysis Service see the Fees List or contact us to discuss your specific needs.
