E.coli confirmation method approved by USDA
The RapidChek CONFIRM non-0157 STEC Immunomagnetic Separation (IMS) kit is a set of immunomagnetic beads used in the confirmation of potential samples and is listed in the USDA Microbiological Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) 5B.02 as the IMS reagents used in E.coli testing.
The USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) began monitoring of six non-O157 shiga toxin producing E.coli (STEC), incorporating the RapidChek CONFIRM STEC test kit in their testing method earlier this month.
The system can be used to check O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145 in beef products.
A spokesman from SDIX told FoodProductionDaily.com: “For example, if a sample tests positive for the stx/eae genes then for the big six O-type genes by a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method such as DuPont’s, the sample can be confirmed using the RapidChek CONFIRM IMS beads to isolate the O-type which is streaked onto selective agar plates for isolation of a single colony”.
The system is not a screening method but the company confirmed it will be launching an“easy, rapid, lateral flow strip for non-O157 STECs” in the future.
