New Rapid E. coli Test to Assist Food Safety

A new E. coli test from Life Technologies uses real-time PCR technology to detect Escherichia coli rapidly. Life Technologies has also secured Performance Tested Methods^SM certification from the AOAC Research Institute for detection of E. coli O157:H7.

E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe illness, even death and has been responsible for significant outbreaks of food poisoning across the globe. Culture-based assays, long considered the gold standard for pathogen detection, can take up to five days to yield results. The MicroSEQ E. coli O157:H7 detection assay is highly specific and sensitive and can be run in as little as eight hours.

“Food companies and food testing organizations are seeking validated tools to help safeguard the public from organisms such as E. coli O157:H7,” said Dr. Sharon Brunelle, technical consultant, AOAC Research Institute. “Life Technologies has demonstrated that the MicroSEQ E. coli O157:H7 Detection Kit performs as well or better than the ISO and USDA reference methods for a variety of foods, earning Performance Tested Methods certification from the AOAC Research Institute.”

The AOAC Research Institute focuses on the development, use, and harmonization of validated analytical methods and its validation is important for food safety. The certification of the MicroSEQ E. coli O157:H7 detection assay means that the assay meets the stringent pathogen detection requirements of many companies and testing organizations responsible for safeguarding food supplies.

“Food contamination is a serious issue, one that can unfortunately have life-threatening repercussions,” said Brian Kim, general manager responsible for food protection solutions at Life Technologies. “With the introduction of the MicroSEQ E. coli O157:H7 assay, Life Technologies is adding to the arsenal of tools available to authorities to help ensure a safe and reliable global food supply.”

The assay is part of a growing portfolio of MicroSEQ kits designed to detect pathogens that contaminate the food supply, including the MicroSEQ Salmonella spp. Detection Kit, the MicroSEQ Listeria monocytogenes Detection Kit and the MicroSEQ Listeria spp Detection Kit.