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New Real-time PCR Assay Offers Validated Method for Rapid Detection of Cronobacter species in Powdered Infant Formula

Helps infant formula manufacturers comply with current EU food safety and hygiene regulations

5 Apr 2016
Lois Manton-O'Byrne, PhD
Executive Editor

Product news

To help safeguard against release of infant formula contaminated with Cronobacter bacteria, which can produce fatal effects on newborn and premature babies, a new simple-to-use PCR assay enables manufacturers and their suppliers to get fast and accurate test results on powdered infant formula, with and without pro-biotics, and on manufacturing environmental process samples.

The new Thermo Scientific SureTect Cronobacter Species Real-Time PCR Assay delivers PCR results in as few as 18 hours following sample receipt. This enables infant formula manufacturers and their suppliers to process and evaluate samples quickly. The assay has been granted NF VALIDATION certification by AFNOR Certification, and can form part of a test workflow that helps customers comply with the Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs.

“We are proud to be able to help our customers protect this vulnerable consumer group with a test method that is both highly accurate and fast compared to the ISO Standard method for detecting this organism,” says David Panneton, vice president commercial operations, microbiology, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “The new SureTect Cronobacter Assay enables our customers to take appropriate action, including fast release of product to market, which is a primary consideration for today’s pathogen test selection.”

Thermo Fisher developed the SureTect System to detect microbial pathogens quickly and accurately in a broad range of foods and associated samples, offering food producers and contract laboratories the following:

  • Quick, actionable results, with a fast, optimized single enrichment step and automatic result interpretation.
  • Efficient operations, with streamlined lysis and PCR protocols that allow for the detection of multiple targets in the same run.
  • Throughput flexibility, with continuous or batch processing possible for up to 120 samples in 80 minutes.
  • Convenience, with pre-filled lysis tubes and tableted PCR reagents to minimize the number of pipetting steps and hands-on time.

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PCR and Thermal CyclingPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits and thermal cyclers are used for the in vitro amplification of DNA permitting subsequent analysis and experimental procedures. Explore a range of high-quality polymerase, primers and nucleotides or simplify your workflow with a PCR mastermix. Find reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and cDNA synthesis kits for RNA products and libraries. Quantitatively measure the amplification of DNA with real-time PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) kits and systems, and discover automated PCR setup solutions to increase throughput. Alternative DNA amplification methods also include recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) kits. Find the best PCR kits and thermal cyclers and purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Food and Beverage AnalyzersFood and Beverage Analyzers are commonly used to provide information about the chemical composition, structure and physical properties of food materials.Food and Beverage ProcessingFood and Beverage Processing involves the preparation of food products for further analysis. Typical instrumentation includes blanchers, color sorters, cookers, grinders, and refrigeration. These are used to replicate the processes commonly used in the commercial preparation of food and beverages.Real-Time PCRReal-time PCR (RT-PCR) is a technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify nucleic acids in real time. It is a key tool in gene expression analysis, pathogen detection, and diagnostics. RT-PCR allows for the detection of specific RNA or DNA sequences with high sensitivity and specificity. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find the best Real-Time PCR systems; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Food SafetyFood safety describes the prevention of food-borne illnesses. Contamination with a variety of pathogens can be prevented with adequate temperature control, hygiene and labeling. Food samples can be tested using GC/MS, HPLC, SPE, and qPCR to ensure their adherence to regulations.Microbial DetectionMicrobial detection is crucial for identifying and quantifying bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. This process is essential for food safety, environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Explore the best microbial detection tools in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Pathogen DetectionPathogen detection is the process of identifying harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that can cause diseases. Accurate pathogen detection is critical for food safety, public health, and clinical diagnostics. Explore pathogen detection products in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.

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New Real-time PCR Assay Offers Validated Method for Rapid Detection of Cronobacter species in Powdered Infant Formula