Labtek Services Ltd

What is the difference between Allergen Testing and ATP Testing?
For an absolute surface testing system, it is vital to understand the presence of specific proteins and how to detect these particular proteins. Allergen tests are conducted to detect specific proteins such as Egg Protein and milk Protein. On the other hand, AllerSnap / Proclean products detect non-specific proteins – proteins in general at different sensitivities.
That’s why you need to comprehend when to use ATP or allergen-specific swabs for the quality of cleaning and disinfection in food products.
Let’s understand the terms Allergen Testing and ATP Testing

For a spotless workspace or surface, you can go with the effective ways of Allergen and ATP testing to maintain the food safety of the products. Precise knowledge of these tests helps you to understand where to use the respective ones for accurate surface testing.

In all the food industries, it is vitally important to perform accurate declarations of allergens so that the consumers can have the food items without any risks. Consequently, allergen testing makes the buyers aware by labeling the types of allergens naturally present in the food product.

On the other hand, ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) testing helps detect the ATP produced by microorganisms like bacteria on surfaces. However, it doesn’t indicate the presence of viruses. It detects any contamination on the surface within 30 seconds.
Difference Between Allergen Testing and ATP Testing

As allergen testing indicates, the types of allergens naturally present in the food and generally high in protein food items such as nuts, soy, and milk are the major allergens. Furthermore, verifying the removal of protein from the working surfaces is important. For this protein swab, an allergen test is conducted to avoid food contamination with the traces of allergens. This general protein swab test verifies the surface cleaning in the food safety program.

Advantages of Protein swab tests:

• Helps in protein detection from a wide range of allergens, including allergens for which there is no specific rapid test.

• Provide quick results within 5 to 30 minutes, depending on incubation.

• Cost-effective, Easy and Effective to use.

Another cost-effective and corrective test to detect the range of allergens is Allersnap Swabs. If you need to screen allergens present on the surfaces then AllerSnap swabs are best. These high sensitivity protein swabs able to detect to 3 ug of protein after 30mins incubation.

This effective, safe, quick, and easy-to-detect kit is available at Labtek Services. Its color-coded result indicates whether the surface is clean, such as green color indicates a clean surface, while purple means cleaning is needed. Its colorimetric technique is based on the biuret method, specific proteins and peptides.

While ProClean Protein Residue Swab detects 20ug Protein after 20mins at room temperature without incubation.
In case, for specific allergen products and surface testing, specific allergen tests are performed using AlerTox Sticks. These sticks are more sensitive and specific than the protein swab method as they are useful to detect allergenic material rapidly in a food samples, surface samples, and rinse water samples. In short, these sticks are advisable for high-stakes allergen cleans and finished products. At Labtek Services, you can buy these AlerTox Sticks in various allergens such as almonds, crustaceans, eggs, fish, hazelnuts, milk, mustard, peanut, soy, and walnut. So, these kits are suitable to have a rapid or on-site detection test within 15 minutes.

Advantages of AlerTox allergen-specific LFD tests

• Most sensitive and specific rapid option for quick results within 15 minutes. • It can be used on water and product in addition to surfaces • Cost-effective compared to third-party ELISA • Easy to use and interpret as no equipment is required.

Other testing methods for specific allergens are:

ELISA testing for specific allergens: This test provides the quantitative answer for testing products used by food safety labs.

PCR testing for specific allergens: This test is less common due to its time-consuming nature than LFDs and ELISAs. At the same time, it is more effective to look for celery DNA than ELISA or LFD.

If we discuss about ATP Testing is a rapid hygiene monitoring test conducted to ensure adequate cleanliness in the food industry. The presence of ATP on a surface means improper cleanliness and the presence of contaminants that may lead to an allergen risk.
For hygiene maintenance, using an ATP test, on-site improvements are quickly implemented to prevent food contamination incidents, improve product quality, and improve customer satisfaction.

However, to conduct this test, a device called Luminometer is used. The steps followed to complete the ATP test are:

1. Select Testing Sites such as food preparation surfaces, cutting boards, utensils, and other surfaces like door handles, and ligh switches in the food industries.
2. Collect ATP Samples from the selected surfaces using swabbing techniques.
3. Insert the Swab into the ATP Device
4. Interpret the Results from the ATP testing device. The higher RLUs value indicates more ATP which means the surface is contaminated.

Kikkoman’s Easy Plates have been granted Microval certification after successful validation studies conducted at Campden BRI, in accordance with ISO 16140-2:2016.

The validation process has been completed for four distinct target organisms. These include:

• Aerobic Bacteria (AC)
• Coliforms (CC)
• E. coli/Coliforms (EC)
• Staphylococcus aureus (SA)

The validation process for the Easy Plate Yeast and Mould is currently in progress. It is a big achievement for easy plates to get MicroVal Certification for food microbiology.

What are Easy Plates?

These are dry film plates that consist of pre-prepared microbiological culture media. Easy plates can be rehydrated by adding the sample and covering it with a film. After incubation, the plates can be read manually or with an automated system. The distinct color colonies on the plates indicate specific organisms based on the type of plate used. The Easy Plate AC method serves as an alternative to traditional microbiological methods (such as AOAC Official Method 966.23 and US Food and Drug Officials Bacteriological Analytical Manual Chapter 3) for assessing the concentration of aerobic bacteria in food.

Benefits of Easy Plates

There are several benefits of easy plates. A few of them include the elimination of media preparation in the laboratory, reduced storage needs, and decreased space requirements in the incubator. The validation studies encompassed a wide variety of food types. Additionally, for Easy Plates AC and EC, the scope extended to encompass animal feed, pet food, and environmental samples as well.

Buy the Top-Quality Easy Plates from Labtek Services Ltd.

If you are in search of the best quality easy plates then all you need to do is explore the wide range of easy plates that we offer on our website. The Easy Plate we provide is a microbiological plate technique that comprises a waterproof paper with a pre-prepared desiccant medium and is covered by a transparent layer. All our plates are designed in such a way that they are compact, user-friendly, and quite effective in minimizing waste during testing. The Easy Plate AC Method has got approval from the AOAC Research Institute Performance Tested Methods SM (041302) for a diverse range of items. These include various types of meat, dairy products, seafood, and pet food. The plates are self-contained and don’t require any extra tools for incubation preparation. This is due to the hydrophobic ring on the culture surface that facilitates the automatic spreading of the sample.

We at Labtek Services Ltd. provide a variety of easy plates. Below are the names of them:

• EASY PLATE AC – Aerobic Count 100 plates
• EASY PLATE EC – E-Coli and Coliforms
• EASY PLATE SA 24hr Staphylococcus aureus
• EASY PLATE Yeast and Mould Rapid YM-R
• EASY PLATE AC -1000plates

The LABTEK Services team always strives for excellence in whatever they do. With a vast experience of around 35 years, they have collaborated with major organizations throughout the UK and Europe. Our highly qualified team continuously seeks out new products to align with specific customer needs and supports all instrumentation. All our service and repair engineers are available seven days a week. They take pride in satisfying clients with their premium products and services. Visit our website today to explore the wide range of top-grade and affordable products we offer. What sets our outstanding services apart is the comprehensive package they come with. As our valued customer, you will get every information ranging from demos and pre-purchase to machine installation and the supply of accompanying consumables. This ensures that all testing requirements are met under one roof. Contact us today to discover more about our high grade products and the amazing advantages they offer!

We at LABTEK Services have been Laboratory and QC specialists since 1987 specializing in the support of the UK dairy processing laboratory and quality control environments. Our experts work with suppliers from around the globe and deliver solutions enabling your company to meet the stringent industry QC guidelines. The technical team that we possess offers complete after-sales support for the wide range of equipment we install. Also, our on-contract clients get a visit within 24hrs after the successful receipt of a call.

Reliable and Notable Name in the Industry

LABTEK Services are among the premier distributors and are proud to work with most of the major laboratory brands like Hygiena, Mettler Toledo, OHAUS, GRANT, HANNA, DOW CORNING, ZEULAB, ThermoFisher, and NEOGEN. Our experts continually strive to provide the latest technologies to all our esteemed clients. The sole aim of LABTEK Services is to provide first-class laboratory supplies and technical support to all the facilities that are engaged with quality control in the UK food and beverage, and dairy industries. Over the past few years, public awareness of hygiene and exposure to bacterial threats has increased exponentially than ever before. In today’s time, the practices and standards of Food & Beverage along with several other industries are often subjected to close scrutiny. This is where LABTEK Services is always at your service to deliver the finest quality hygiene monitoring supplies from all over the world.

Top-Grade Solutions and Services

Our experts also provide the best in class technical support to laboratories and supply chains within the industry. The standards of food safety have improved greatly over the past few decades. However, there is no room for complacency. Also, there are constant concerns over communicable diseases and the procedure by which foodstuffs and various organic commodities get processed. Therefore, it is essential to provide clear and comprehensive responses whenever there are queries regarding the standards we adhere to. We at LABTEK Services are aware of the stringent food hygiene standards in the UK and the effective hygiene monitoring processes. Our experts are always striving to work on the best in class materials in order to assure the public that their welfare is of prime importance to us. As a reliable food supply chain support company, we provide high-quality lab supplies and support the ability of our clients to provide effective and consistent lab monitoring of foodstuffs on-site.

What Makes Us Stand Out?

The dairy laboratory specialists at LABTEK Services deal in more than just chemicals and consumables. As our valuable client, you will get over 35years knowledge and experience identifying hygiene control materials required along with clear guidance what is required in the testing processes. We know that for fully outfitting a foodstuffs QC lab, only the latest and most reliable instruments should be used. These are available with the high quality installation and support services that our technical team provides. These include service, repair, and calibration services. To get more insights into our lab equipment and materials, feel free to reach out to our team.

Below are the products we provide for a wide range of industries including Dairy, Food and Beverage, Water, and Agricultural:

• LAB Supplies and Equipment

• Hygiene Control and Monitoring

• Environmental Monitoring

• Microbiology testing products

• Pathogen Detection

• Personal Protection Equipment

Our friendly teams are totally committed to getting you up and running in the shortest possible time through supply as well as service. For us, there is nothing more important than our customers as they always come first. Choose our products and services today to experience the great benefits. We understand the importance of a good support service for our customers. Our quick and efficient customer service enables us to respond to all the requests and call-outs of our customers within 24 hours.

The team at LABTEK Services constantly works towards striving for excellence. Over the last 35 years, we have worked with all the leading organizations across the UK and Europe. We continue to source new products to match the specific customer requirements. Our team is highly and fully qualified and supports all the instrumentation. All our service and repair engineers are available at your service 7 days a week. We are proud to serve all our clients who are completely satisfied and happy with all our quality products and services. Visit our website today to explore the plethora of products that we offer at an affordable price. LABTEK Services offers the complete solution from advise and guidance on your options available to aftersales support and supplies, the best part about choosing our exemplary services is that you don’t have to look elsewhere. We will supply you with demos and information before buying. Also, we will supply and install the machines and offer the consumables to go with them. This means you will have one place for all your testing needs! Get in touch with us today to learn more about our products and the amazing benefits they provide!

Analytical guide for Antibiotics in Meat Products

An antibiotic is a chemical substance produced by a living being or synthetic derivative that kills or prevents the growth of certain classes of sensitive microorganisms. They are generally drugs used in the treatment of bacterial infections, hence they are known as antibacterial or antimicrobial.

There are currently more than 50 antibiotics approved for veterinary use. They can be classified into various groups according to their chemical structure: Aminoglycosides, Macrolides, Tetracyclines, Beta-lactams, Quinolones and Sulfamides.

The use of antibiotics in the veterinary sector is widespread; with more than 75% of the antibiotics produced by the pharmaceutical industry being consumed in the livestock sector. The type of antibiotic used is determined by the diseases to be treated. Consequently, to prevent the presence of antibiotic residues in food, they must be properly managed, regarding their dose or suppression period, for example.

The variety of antibiotic residues we might find in meat is as wide as the number of medicines available for the treatment of veterinary diseases. Therefore, it is best to choose a method that can detect a broad spectrum of antibiotics easily, quickly and at a low cost. These are screening methods, and are usually microbiologically based (Explorer). Starting from the logical assumption that most samples are free of residues, these methods lead to contaminated (positive) samples being easily identified from the rest.

To determine the type and concentration of antibiotic in the contaminated sample, specific methods based on immunochemical (ELISAs) or chromatographic (LC-MS) techniques should be used. These are the so-called identification or confirmation methods. They are expensive and more labour-intensive, requiring more equipment and qualified personnel.

Therefore, an adequate analytical strategy would be to perform an initial screening stage to identify contaminated samples and prevent this meat from reaching the market.

The second phase would involve the food operator, e.g. a slaughterhouse, being able to decide whether to identify the antibiotic present in the sample and the concentration at which it is found. For this, identification and screening methods, such as ELISAs, rapid tests and LC-MS, are needed.

If the operator (slaughterhouse) suspects the use of a certain antibiotic in an area or time of year, or wants to assess a type of supplier, it can launch a specific campaign to search for that particular contaminant. ELISA and LFIC (rapid test) methods are the most recommended, due to their specificity and ease of processing.

EXPLORER 2.0 & E-READER: THE MOST EFFICIENT SCREENING IN MEAT ANALYSIS

ZEULAB, a leading company in the development of antibiotic testing methods in meat, has designed a unique system that places it at the forefront of screening methods. The Explorer2.0 & e-Reader system is the most efficient solution for detecting a wide range of antibiotic residues in meat. Using this simple, low-cost, rapid test, the operator (slaughterhouse) can screen for residues from the main antibiotic groups: e.g. beta-lactams, tetracyclines, macrolides, sulphonamides and aminoglycosides (see technical data sheet).

The system has been validated and recommended in Spain by the Mahadahonda National Reference Laboratory, which is dependent on the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition, AECOSAN (Alimentaria, March 2016, no. 471). It has also been validated by the Belgian Reference Laboratory, ILVO (Validation Report, 2014) and the European Reference Laboratory, ANSES.

QUINOSCAN: THE IDEAL SOLUTION FOR TOTAL SCREENING

The Explorer 2.0 & e-Reader system detects all beta-lactam, tetracycline, sulfamide, macrolide and aminoglycoside antibiotics; and can be improved by combination with QuinoScan, the specific, rapid test for detecting quinolones. The combination of both tests provides screening for practically all antibiotic substances used in the veterinary field.

TEST ELISA: FOR QUANTIFYING SPECIFIC ANTIBIOTIC RESIDUES

When an analyst suspects the use of a specific antibiotic, the choice of the specific ELISA kit for that substance/group can identify and quantify it in the meat samples under study.

Over the past few years, the world of science has seen major developments, leading to the increasing importance of the performance of laboratories. This became even more evident with the global pandemic when the results of laboratory experiments proved beneficial for the lives of millions of people around the world. Therefore, the importance of using high grade lab equipment UK will only increase manifolds in the years to come.

Below let’s take a few of the reasons that highlight how you can maximize your research with high quality lab equipment in the UK.

• Deliver Accurate Results

One of the prime reasons for having high-quality equipment in the lab is because it helps in producing the highest quality products and also delivers the most accurate test results. However, when low-quality equipment is used, the possibility of errors increases. For every lab, it is essential to produce the best results which are only possible by employing top-quality equipment. Even the smallest of errors due to faulty equipment can lead to disastrous consequences that labs would rather avoid.

• Increase Efficiency

When you invest in best in class lab instruments, they enhance the overall efficiency of the lab in several ways. The higher quality equipment helps in reducing the production time in a lab. This is possible because of the faster processing speeds. Additionally, manufacturers design high grade equipment for minimizing energy use, resulting in further financial savings.

• Better Safety Standards

Along with increasing the laboratory’s potential for success, investing in high quality equipment also helps in protecting the safety of all the different laboratory patrons. Also, laboratory procedures and processes involve the use of dangerous chemicals and other hazardous substances. It is essential to use properly functioning equipment that includes the latest safety features. This makes sure lab personnel are safe and aren’t exposed to harmful things.

• Low Maintenance Issues

Another major reason for investing in top-grade lab equipment is because it helps in reducing maintenance issues. The thought of purchasing inexpensive and low-quality laboratory equipment might save some money, however, it is not a wise decision in the long run. Old and poor lab instruments and devices tend to have quite a few maintenance issues. Along with the money spent on repairs, they also lead to periods of downtime that delay the processes and result in financial loss. Therefore, you should invest in higher quality equipment.

• Helps Saves Costs

It is always advisable to buy high grade products as they will last longer than the other products. Due to their longevity, you will be able to save a lot of your money. This means you don’t have to spend your money on buying substandard products frequently.

• Gives Peace of Mind

Medical and laboratory products that are of the highest quality will prove really beneficial in terms of reliability. This is really crucial when safety is at stake or the item is used on a frequent basis like in a busy health clinic or hospital. Top-grade lab products bring a high level of reliability that helps in reducing maintenance costs, downtime as well as stress.

• Improves the Overall Functionality

One of the biggest advantages of high grade products is that they will deliver the best results. Therefore, you should not invest in old products and replace them at the earliest. This will enable you to get the desired results.

• Enhances the Reputation

Having a great rapport with their customers is necessary for every lab. People only trust those labs that produce accurate results. Even a single flawed result can damage the reputation of the lab and make it lose its customers. However, when you have top-quality equipment that produces accurate findings, they increase the rapport of the lab.

Choose the Best in Class Products from LABTEK Services Ltd

We at LABTEK Services Ltd possess decades of experience and deliver services to the dairy processing, food & beverage, and farming industries. As the leading and foremost laboratory equipment supplier across the UK and Europe, we are proud to serve all our customers. Our technical team specializes in quality testing instrumentation and has earned a great reputation for reliability and efficiency. For us, our customers always come first. We completely understand the importance of a quick and impromptu support service. Our experts always strive towards delivering the best in class services and provide quick responses to all their requests within 24 hours. With an experience of more than 35 years, we have worked with leading organizations across the UK and Europe. Sourcing new products which are specific to the requirements of the customer is what we love to do. Our fully qualified technical team supports all the instrumentation. They are available 7 days a week at your service. Get in touch with us now to learn more!

Easy Plate is a convenient and prepared media plate that doesn’t need media preparation or sterilization. It is an easy to use choice as compared to the in-house media preparation utilizing traditional plated media. Easy Plate is quite helpful in saving labor, and time, and reducing waste. When you use it as a food microbiological test kit which is around 1/20 volume of the typical petri dish, you will be able to save space. Also, it enables you to run several more tests with your current incubator space. Easy Plates are ready-to-use and once you open the package, a sample suspension can be placed onto the media to get started with incubation.

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) comparatively evaluated both Easy Plate and agar media. The number and types of microorganisms that grow on agar media were compared with those on Easy Plate AC for determining aerobic bacteria counts. Easy Plate YM-R was used for determining fungal (yeast/mold) counts. The results showed that the numbers of colonies that were obtained on Easy Plate and agar media were correlated. Easy Plate was also highly valued as it proved more efficient than agar media in terms of working times.

Different Types of Easy Plate

Below is a brief of the types of Easy Plate. Every plate is AOAC PTM-certified.

• Aerobic Bacteria Easy Plate AC

It is a custom media formulation for the cultivation of aerobic bacteria.

• Coliform Easy Plate CC

It is a custom media formulation for the detection, identification, and enumeration of coliforms.

• E. coli / Coliform Easy Plate EC

It is a custom media formulation for the detection, identification, and enumeration of E. coli and non-E. coli coliforms.

• Staphylococcus aureus Easy Plate SA

It is a custom media formulation for the cultivation of Staphylococcus aureus.

• Yeast and Mold Easy Plate YM-R

It is a rapid type of prepared media plates for yeast and mold.

What is Easy Plate AC?

Easy Plate AC is an AOAC PTM-certified custom media formulation for cultivation of aerobic bacteria. It is a microbial test kit that consists of a chemical redox indicator providing easily distinguishable colored red colonies, enabling you to easily identify and also count aerobic bacteria in 48±2 hours.

Easy Plate AC is sold in packages of 100 tests in 4 separate bags that contain 25 tests each. They have a shelf life of 18 months when stored and unopened at 2-8℃. The Easy Plate AC method is used for determining aerobic bacteria levels in food instead of the microbiological methods. The plates are quite compact and easy to use and help in reducing the overall amount of waste that gets generated during the test.

The AOAC Research Institute Performance Tested Methods SM (041302) approved the Easy Plate AC Method for raw beef, roast beef raw ground beef, ham, pork, raw pork, cooked pork sausage, Chinese barbecue bacon, Frankfurters, raw ground chicken, raw chicken, blueberries, lettuce, raw salmon, raw tuna, raw shrimp, natural cheeses, dry pet food, and pasteurized milk are all recognized. There is no need for additional tools for preparing the plates for incubation. This is possible due to the hydrophobic ring around the culture surface. It helps in spreading the sample automatically over the culture surface.

Learn More About the Benefits of Easy Plate AC with Labtek Services Ltd.

Contact the highly experienced and skilled experts at Labtek Services Ltd. to get insights into the standout features and wide benefits of Easy Plate AC. Our friendly teams are always committed to getting you up and running in the shortest possible time with our industry leading supply or service. The EASY PLATE AC – Aerobic Count 100 plates that we provide are quite easy and ready to use and have delivered the best results. These are AOAC PTM certified and have high specificity. You need to add sample suspension to the plate and incubate. These require very little space when incubating and little waste. Our EASY PLATE AC – Aerobic Count 100 plates have got the best reviews and feedback from all our esteemed customers who only buy from us. They only trust our top-grade products and services.

For us at Labtek Services Ltd., there is nothing more important than delivering high quality products and services to our valued customers. We are completely aware that providing a quick and efficient service to our customers is essential. Therefore, we strive towards responding to all their requests and call-outs quickly within 24 hours. There are many industries that we cater to. These include dairy processing, water, medical & life sciences, food and beverage, and farming – dairy farms. There are a plethora of products that we provide at affordable prices. Visit our website today to check out our high grade products and the benefits they provide.

Nissui Pharma Solutions provides various products and services to support every need of your microbiology testing process in foods, cosmetics, or raw materials, as well as pharmaceutical raw materials. Hygiene plays a very important role in food production. We all know that microbes (bacteria, viruses, and mold) are present everywhere around us. Sometimes they may be harmless but may be a reason for contamination or health related problems. They may contaminate our food, infrastructure, or sterile environment. So, when we talk about maintaining the quality and safety of raw materials and products in food or drink industry, microbial testing is a very crucial step.

For this challenge, Nissui Pharma Solutions provides high quality environment monitoring facilities, culture media, kits, and various lab supplies to check the presence of microbes for rapid and reliable results in the medical diagnostics, life sciences, and the food and drink industries.

Importance of Microbe Testing

Product testing remains an important step in every food industry. Microbes can be easily grown in raw materials like milk because they provide a healthy environment and nutrients for the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. As a result, regular sampling of microbes is crucial for industries. We can use biochemical, biological, or molecular methods for the detection of microbes in air, food samples.

Cause of Microbial Growth

For the management of food quality, identification and characterization of microbes become very important to know about the source of microorganisms. Some microbes can survive in various adverse conditions, like high temperatures, so we can use some microbiology techniques to identify the source.  Some other factors like the increase in air humidity may be a cause of the increase in airborne microorganism numbers.

Relation between Microbes and Shelf life of Product

The shelf life of food is very important in the food and drink industry. So it becomes the responsibility of the manufacturer to give an idea of the shelf-life of a product. So, different types of tests are performed in different conditions to determine the presence of microorganisms.

We are happy to provide extension of CompactDry range: new ready-to-use Rapid total count (TCR) plates for microbial testing.

Why are these Rapid Total Count plates the best?

• Ready to use plates are available in special 50 mm diameter
• Chromogenic dry media and gel for easy detection
• Shelf life of 12 months
• Triple gamma irradiated
• Contain a medium for yeast and fungi isolation
• Storage at RT +1 °C to +30 °C
• Approved by AOAC
• 10 plates per pack
• 20 mL of media in each plate
• Incubation temperature at 35°C +/- 1 °C for 24 +/- 2 hours or 32 °C +/- 1 °C for dairy products

Compact Dry TCR contains a standard nutrient medium that contains tetrazolium salt, which is integrated into the medium and serves as a redox indicator dye. The grown colonies will be red. Compact dry plates may also be used for quantitative hygiene monitoring of those surfaces that are difficult to reach.

The total bacteria count is a key indicator in the field of hygiene management. It indicates how many microorganisms are present in a sample. TCR provides a quantitative estimation of microorganisms in a sample, that is represented as the number of colony forming units (cfu) per unit sample.

Compact Dry Microbial Count Measurement

Compact dry Rapid Total Count plates, makes the determination of the microbial count very easy. This rapid test allows the reliable on-site analysis of various samples: liquids (drinking water, beverages) and solid food, as well as cosmetics and smears of surfaces. And this is how it works:

• Open the lid of the petri dish and place 1 mL of sample material on the plate.
• Close the plate, and the sample automatically diffuses evenly across the dry sheet, transforming it into a gel within seconds and place it upside down in an incubator at an appropriate temperature.
• Following the incubation period, count the colored colonies with the naked eye. Despite its simplicity, the Compact Dry method is particularly efficient and can detect up to 300 colonies per plate.

Last but not least, we have a wide range of lab supplies and services. You can trust us for our commitment to offer a broad range of detection solutions for the food and beverage industry and become the European leader for safer and better products.

LABTEK Services provide various products and services to support every need of your dairy industry microbiology testing process. We know that microbes are present everywhere around us. They may be harmless or may be a reason for contamination or health related problems. They may spoil our food, infrastructure or may contaminate the sterile environment. Microbiology testing is a very crucial step for maintaining quality and safety of raw material and products in the dairy industry.

For this challenge LABTEK Services provide high quality environment monitoring facilities, various lab supplies to check the presence of microbes for rapid and reliable results. 

 WHY MICROBE TESTING IS IMPORTANT?

Product testing remains an important step in every food manufacturing system. Microbes can be easily grown in raw materials like milk because they provide a favorable environment for growth of bacteria, yeast and mold.  So regular sampling of microbes is very important. We can use biochemical, biological or molecular methods for detection of microbes in air, food, and clinical samples.

IDENTIFICATION OF MICROBES

For the management of food quality and sterility identification and characterization of microbes sometimes it becomes very important to know about the source of microorganisms. Some microbes can survive in various adverse conditions, so we can use some microbiology techniques to identify the source.  Some factors like the increase of air humidity may be a cause of increase of air borne microorganism numbers.

Microbes and Shelf life of product

Shelf life of food is very important in the food, dairy industry. So it becomes the responsibility of manufacturer that they give idea about the self-life of product. So different test are performed in different conditions of presence of related organism.

Examples of microbes may be present as contaminants.

E.coli

Candida

Aspergillus species

Or maybe yeast, mold, parasites etc.

We are happy to provide various laboratory supplies in the UK for your testing needs.

We offer various testing facilities like

• Air quality testing
• Water quality testing
• Mold and bacteria testing
• Pathogen sample testing
• Pathogen surface testing

How we test air quality

Air present in the processing area may contaminate our food and affect their quality. Dairy products like butter, buttermilk, curd, fermented milk products are more susceptible for contamination by air borne microbes. So controlling the quality of air in cleanrooms, filling halls play an important role in contamination control. We provide settle plates for microbial air monitoring.

Why are these settle plates the best?

• Ready to use
• Triple wrapped irradiated
• Shelf life for 20 weeks
• Contain medium for isolation of yeast and fungi

Air Settle Test – SDA Aircheck Yeasts and Fungi- pk of 10

LTS high quality settle plates are best for the dairy industry, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Our settle plates are triple gamma irradiated in final packing. The 90 mm plate size contains 20 ml media which is translucent and pale yellow gel incubated at 25 oc for the detection of yeast and molds. Pack size of these plates is 10.

Settle plate test- TSA air check pack of 10.

• Air quality monitoring plates.
• 90mm pour plates contain tryptic soy agar (tsa) plates.
• Growth of bacteria and fungi.
• Pack of 10 triple wrapped.
• Self-life 26 weeks.
• Incubation 25 to 37oc.

Air samplers, sas super IAQ

Sas sampler iaq tool has the same efficiency as provided by the setter plate method. It is best for the pharmaceutical and dairy industry for monitoring and air quality testing. Benefits of using it for Microbiological air monitoring in dairy industry are:

• Contain all accessories for microbiological air sampling.
• Easy to use
• Low cost
• Light weight
• Operate in any environment.
• Durable construction

• Long shelf –life  up to 18 months
• Aoac, microval, noroval approved.

Last not least, we as a renowned Dairy QC Specialists in the UK, have a wide range of lab supplies and services. You can trust us for dairy, food & beverage, and water services as we hold a great team of experts from 35 years.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is an energy molecule that is found in all different types of living things. Detecting ATP provides a clear indication while determining the efficiency of cleaning processes to remove bacteria. ATP hygiene testing is a process that combines ATP with a liquid-stable reagent. This combination results in a chemical reaction and emits light which is measured as directly proportional to the amount of ATP that is present. ATP testing is an easy to use and straightforward process. All you need to do is simply swab the specific area that you want to test. Then return the swab to the tube so it mixes with the reagent and releases the ATP present. Finally, to record the results, place the swab inside the luminometer.

How Does ATP Testing Work?

There are two distinct parts of ATP testing kits. One is the handheld assay reader and the other is a disposable test ATP swab. The test swab is removed from the solution and it is then rubbed around the testing area for gathering any unwanted living cells (ATP) that might be there. When the test swab is mixed with the reagent, the ATP emits light which is detected by the reader. Most readers are able to display the results as well as saving digital records of the readings that they produce.

Benefits of ATP Testing

Now we are going to take a look at a few of the top benefits of ATP testing. Let’s get started.

• Improves Cleaning

As per the National Institute of Health, around 20% – 40% Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) are due to direct transmission by the hands of healthcare personnel or via unintentional contact with contaminated surfaces. By creating and following an ATP monitoring system, cleaning can be improved thoroughly and reduce the transmission of HAIs. ATP testing is also useful for ensuring the cleaning devices and sanitizing agents are effective.

• Educates Housekeepers

According to a study, ATP readings can be used for detecting variations in cleaning practices. It will be helpful for educating housekeepers about the importance of their activities along with providing feedback regarding their compliance with recommended techniques and tools.

• Encourages Team Members

Builds personal connections with the team members and helps foster teamwork among cleaning and other professionals. ATP testing also gives a framework for individuals in other respective professions, such as nursing and infection prevention, who want to contribute beyond their traditional duties in order to help prevent HAIs.

Importance of ATP Testing

ATP testing is a crucial step toward understanding the actual level of hygiene and cleanliness in an environment. As ATP exists in all living cells, testing for ATP identifies unseen potential contaminants which may enable the growth of bacteria. ATP testing is an essential tool for detecting contaminants in an environment. It is also helpful in reducing contraction rates and providing facility occupants with the needed confidence and peace of mind. ATP tests are quite easy to use and deliver quick results in a matter of a few seconds providing reassurance for business owners, customers, and employees.

Perform Accurate ATP Testing with Labtek Services

ATP Testing Meters are popular all around the world for monitoring and checking the cleanliness of surfaces. We at Labtek Services are your one-stop shop if you are in search of the best in class ATP luminometer systems. Since 2002, we have been providing our customers with high quality systems from Hygiena and 3M like Hygiena SystemSure Plus and 3M Clean Trace.

ATP Testing performed by the latest luminometers from Hygiena, the ENSURE TOUCH and Kikkoman Lumitester SMART provide advanced features and CLOUD software, that bring hygiene monitoring into the 21st century.

EnSure Touch Luminometer

For all those who are in search of the latest ATP Meter, then don’t look further than the EnSure Touch ATP Hygiene Monitoring system from Hygiena. It features a unique touch screen interface along with an android style display. The featured icons set the ENSURE Touch Luminometer apart from its competitors. It is quite similar to a smartphone making it quite easy to operate from one hand for a user. The EnSure Touch Luminometer comes with modern connectivity via Wi-Fi and CLOUD software. It enables users in large organisations at multiple locations to easily collate information at a central location and also gain an overview of the hygiene and cleanliness levels of the organisations. Get in touch with us at Labtek Services to learn more about our products and how these will help your organisation to meet the stringent industry QC guidelines. Our Technical team is always at your service to offer you full after-sales support for all the equipment installed by us. We have received the best reviews and feedback from all our happy and satisfied customers.

Are you in search of an advanced monitoring system that can be easily used with all the different types of tests in the Hygiena portfolio? The EnSURE™ Touch is the best choice for you to conduct various tests including ATP Environmental Swabs, Allergen Screening...

What Role Do pH Meters Play in the Food Industry?

by Nikhil Pathania | 23 January 2022 | pH Meter

Measuring the pH level in food production is an important process for getting essential insights into various factors including quality, consistency, and safety. pH levels can have an impact on food making in numerous ways. When the pH is variable in food and beverage...

Why Environmental Swabbing is of Utmost Importance?

by Nikhil Pathania | 14 January 2022 | electro chemistry, pH Meter

Environmental swabbing plays a crucial role, especially in a food manufacturing plant. This process enables the food regulators and food business owners to know if a food processing area is clean and safe. In environmental swabbing, microbiological testing of...

Importance of pH Testing for the Food Industry

by labtekservices | 14 December 2021 | electro chemistry, pH Meter

pH testing has become one of the most essential measurements in the food industry. By making small changes to the pH levels, alterations can be done in food manufacturing. Every substance comes with a measurable level of acidity or alkalinity that is determined by the...

LABTEK Services’ Supplier Commissions High Care Area Microbiology

by labtekservices | 3 December 2021 | Dairy Product Testing, Microbiology Testing

Dairy Product Testing – High Care Area LABTEK Services is pleased to announce that one of its suppliers, Qlip, has put a new pre-treatment area for microbiological analysis into operation in its dairy laboratory. This is known as the High Care Area and is...

Cleaning Verification for Virus Control – ATP Test

by labtekservices | 8 July 2021 | Environment, Hygiene Monitoring, Hospitality Hygiene

Introduction As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare to return to offices, restaurants, retail shopping and all other places associated with “normal” life, it will be important to assure Cleaning Verification of Surfaces employees and customers...

Antibiotics in Milk Testing Review

by labtekservices | 2 July 2021 | Dairy Product Testing, Antibiotic Residue Testing in Milk

Antibiotics in Milk Testing – the Milk Supply Chain In August 2015 the Food Standards Agency FSA issued guidance on testing of milk for antibiotic residues which provided information for the milk supply chain on best practice for the detection of antibiotics in raw...

Milk Acidity – test for Quality and Freshness

by labtekservices | 23 June 2021 | Dairy Product Testing

Measuring Titratable Milk Acidity in Dairy Products The HI84529-01 uses methods based on AOAC International and Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products. Both of these methods report titratable milk acidity as % lactic acid and a conversion factor is...

Eclipse Farm 4G & COMET system receives AOAC approval (PTM 022101)

by labtekservices | 18 March 2021 | Dairy Product Testing, Antibiotic Residue Testing in Milk

The Eclipse FARM 4G  test and COMET Incubator & Strip Reader, both developed and manufactured by Zeulab, has been recently validated and certified by the AOAC-RI (Association Of Official Analytical Collaboration – Research Institute) to detect antibiotics in raw...

Chlorine Test Strips for Checking Chlorine Sanitising Solutions

by labtekservices | 21 January 2021 | Hygiene Monitoring, Test Strips, Hospitality Hygiene

Chlorine Test Strip for checking Chlorine Sanitising Solutions  High concentration solutions are widely used in hospital infection control and food processing facilities. With the emergence of COVID-19 virus cleanliness and hygiene is at the forefront of everybodies...

Measuring the pH level in food production is an important process for getting essential insights into various factors including quality, consistency, and safety. pH levels can have an impact on food making in numerous ways. When the pH is variable in food and beverage production, it can result in significant differences in the freshness, taste, food flavour, appearance, texture, fermentation, and shelf-life of the final product. Due to this, pH value is one of the crucial parameters that need to be measured during inspection before making the food item available. This is where pH meters play their role in making sure the pH level of the food products has the desired acidity level that is necessary for the prevention of the growth of foodborne pathogens. When pH meters are used properly they can greatly help in establishing and maintaining safe food products.

What is a pH Meter and Why is it Important?

pH meters used in the food industry help in the calculation of the acidity or alkalinity of food. They help in measuring the hydrogen ion activity which is expressed as “pH” or potential for hydrogen.

Effects of pH on Food

• Flavor

pH helps in knowing the favor of the food and provides a tart, sour, or acidic taste in food.

• Texture

pH can also affect the water holding capacity of certain foods that further impact their texture. It also affects the softness or hardness of food items like cheese.

• Appearance

pH also plays its part in changes including pigmentation and also in the development of haze in some of the products. As an example, anthocyanins present in certain fruits change the colour based on pH.

• Shelf Stability

pH is highly beneficial in the prevention of spoilage as it inhibits the growth of bacteria. When the level of pH is below 4.6, most of the bacteria will not grow.

• Fermentation

pH affects the bacteria that are used for producing fermented food. If you talk about yoghurt, the pH needed for it is ≤4.5.

• Safety

The acidic levels of pH help in controlling the foodborne pathogens including Clostridium Botulinum, Salmonella, and Bacillus Cereus.

A high-quality food pH meter plays an important role in monitoring the pH of the food and making the required adjustments in the levels. This enables in making sure the taste of the food is of the highest level and it also complies with the Food Safety System and Quality Management and standards.

Buying the Right pH Meter is Crucial

There is a wide range of pH meters that are used in food production. As there are some applications that only need instruments with general functionalities, you should choose a pH meter accordingly. For those that require accurate or specialised equipment, you can choose a high-end pH meter. Due to this, while choosing a pH meter you should consider all the factors in order to make the most out of your investment. When you choose the right pH meter you will be able to ensure the quality and safety of food. Always choose a meter that provides you with the best value for money. You should always choose the right pH meter in order to get the best results. Taking referrals from people who have knowledge about the pH meters can also prove beneficial especially if you are buying them for the first time.

Choose LABTEK Services to Buy High-Grade pH Meters

LABTEK Services is a premier provider of the best in class pH meters in the UK and Europe at an affordable price. We offer an extensive range of pH meters that have received top reviews from all our valued customers who only look forward to us. Below are a few of the pH meters that we provide:

• pH Meter Portable for Cheese

Our pH Meter Portable for Cheese is an easy to use and durable device. It is IP67 rated and waterproof and comes with a battery life of approximately 200 hours. This high quality pH meter can also test for temperature in cheese. It includes a conic tip shaped electrode that easily penetrates the cheese without leaving large holes.

• pH Meter Jenway 55

This is a general purpose portable pH and temperature meter that offers automatic buffer recognition and 2 point pH calibration. The pH Meter Jenway 55 is able to display pH and temperature simultaneously. It includes features like Automatic calibration, Manual or Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC).

• Checker Plus Portable Pocket pH Meter

If you want an easy to use portable meter then the Checker plus should be your choice. It is perfect for students and researchers that comes with a long thin pH electrode and clear LCD display. This pH meter is ideal for measurements in vials and test tubes.

Environmental swabbing plays a crucial role, especially in a food manufacturing plant. This process enables the food regulators and food business owners to know if a food processing area is clean and safe. In environmental swabbing, microbiological testing of equipment, utensils, and food preparation surfaces is conducted with the help of different swab techniques to detect the presence of any pathogens. Environmental monitoring has always been of pivotal importance. Due to which numerous environmental monitoring programs (EMPs) have been set up for screening pathogens and/or indicating microbes that would be growing in the surrounding areas and production facility. This provides an alert for the problems before contamination starts occurring. These programs are only successful if effective swabbing of the plant is done along with the typical testing and consistent implementation.

Below we are going to discuss a few of the reasons that highlight the importance of environmental swabbing.

• Maintains Health and Safety

Environmental swabbing enables all the different food and beverage manufacturing companies to make sure that health, trust, and public safety do not get compromised in any way. As a customer, you will not come to know about the actions that occur in a manufacturing facility which can end up having an adverse effect on the final products. There are some things like construction activities, water, and roof related issues, temporary repairs, changes in issues and processes with conveyors, refrigeration units, deteriorating floors, drains, etc. that can result in the formation of bacterial growth. Having a robust environmental swabbing program along with a comprehensive sampling site selection greatly helps a company to maintain high levels of health standards. This can be a standalone process, however, plays a crucial role in detecting a contaminated product in a facility.

• Determines the Pathogens

Environmental swabbing is highly beneficial in the determination of pathogens. Whether the pathogens are residents or transient of a facility, environmental swabbing proves to be an asset. There are several vectors that aid pathogens in moving through a facility including tools, people, water, movable equipment, contractors, pests, etc. Implementing a successful swabbing program allows the identification of transients before they find a shelter either the equipment or facility structure. The choice of swabbing tools and using a proper technique also need to be considered. In most cases, swabs are used for pathogen testing. The swab devices are used for critical purposes as holes and apertures, small cracks do not get swabbed correctly without using them. However, it is not best to use them for taking environmental samples from areas that are easily accessible. Applying proper pressure with a swab is usually insufficient, however, more pressure can be applied by using a sponge. Also, it is essential to use the correct swab as an incorrect swab can put a company at risk. Environmental swabbing should provide the best protection which can be ensured by performing a self-assessment for completely reviewing the program. A trained subject matter expert can perform the review.

• Prevents Regulatory Visits and Recalls

One another importance of implementing a diligent environmental swabbing program is for the prevention of recalls and regulatory visits. Having a strong environmental monitoring program is the perfect prevention insurance for a company along with helping to mitigate the potential of a recall. Getting its name mentioned in regulatory commentaries like documents and warning letters or in recalls that indicate provisionally approved status will have a negative impact on consumer trust. There are several components of recall prevention. Talking microbiologically, pathogen mitigation is an effective swabbing program and is a great investment in personnel and time, testing, supply, implementation, training, and maintenance costs.

Trusted and Reliable Provider of Environmental Swabbing Products

LABTEK Services is an industry leading provider of high quality environmental swabbing products. Below we are going to shed light on a few of our high grade products.

• Hygiene Swab Sampling 10ml Neutralising Buffer In Tube

The hygiene swab sampling 10ml Neutralising Buffer in tube includes a polystyrene shaft with a Polyester tip swab in a peel pouch. It is recommended for hygiene and environmental monitoring of surfaces or equipment testing with the presence of traces of disinfectants. This product is ideal if you want to maintain and transport microbiological samples and eliminate any sort of traces of disinfectants or sanitizers remaining on surfaces.

• Hygiena™ InSite Listeria

Hygiena™ InSite Listeria is a self-contained, easy-to-use, and environmental Listeria species test. Every device consists of a chromogenic liquid media that is formulated with antibiotics, color-changing compounds, and growth enhancers specific to Listeria species. The test area needs to be simply swabbed and then requires some waiting. After waiting for 24-48 hours of incubation, if there is a change in color is considered presumptive positive. There is no need to use any expensive lab equipment or handling of the additional sample is required.

pH testing has become one of the most essential measurements in the food industry. By making small changes to the pH levels, alterations can be done in food manufacturing. Every substance comes with a measurable level of acidity or alkalinity that is determined by the number of hydrogen (H) or hydroxyl (OH) ions. We all are aware of the basic definition of pH. It is the process of measuring the acidity or alkalinity of a specific solution. pH is commonly measured in the range of 0 to 14. pH 7 is neutral, values lower than 7 are acidic while those higher are alkaline.

The food pH scale enables the manufacturers in understanding precisely a particular ingredient’s reaction with the other. It also helps in determining how a product will fare in a specific environment. Below are a few of the points that highlight the importance of pH testing.

• Production of Food

The preparation of food is greatly influenced by the acidity of the food ingredient. As an example, wine aging and bread fermentation are greatly impacted by pH. The ratio of acidity/alkalinity plays an important role in determining the duration and speed of the reactions that are necessary for creating the required end product.

• Taste of Food

pH ratios change the flavors dramatically. In most cases, people would prefer having a bite that is from acidic food and beverages like dry wine. The pH level can also reduce the intensity of sour tastes. This same science is also applicable to processed food and dairy products.

• Texture of Food

Along with the taste, consumers also pay attention to the texture of the food sometimes even more than the taste. The way a product feels enables a consumer to judge a product. It is the texture that makes a person’s mouth water or cringe. The adjustments in pH result in alterations in the final product texture that influences the perception of enjoyment that a consumer feels. As an example, we can compare the creamy blue cheese with a crumbly aged Gouda.

• Appearance of Food

The physical appearance of the food is very important and people judge them by how they look. Veggies are the best example of food products that get judged mostly by how crisp and green they appear. The appearance that the product forms acts as a barometer for pH levels as they play a role in the texture and outer color. Food manufacturers have the ability to slow the change in color by tweaking the pH levels by utilizing specific ingredients and substances during preparation. Similarly, the pH changes can be stopped completely by using freezing techniques.

Food Safety is of the Highest Priority

Not just the surface features, pH levels play an important role in suggesting how long a particular food product is completely safe for consumption. With time, food products like fresh produce and dairy tend to lose their natural acidity. Eventually, the bacteria and balance tips are able to replicate. Timing plays a crucial role for food items that have added protection against bacterial growth along with preserving the quality of the food. Some food manufacturers add lemon juice or vinegar to dressings and mayonnaise to increase their shelf life and ensure the safety of the consumers. From the start to the finish, highly controlled and accurate pH measurements are pivotal for food safety.

Get Accurate pH Measurements with High Quality Products from LABTEK Services

LABTEK Services is a premier provider of first-class laboratory supplies and impromptu technical support for the wide facilities that perform quality control for the dairy, food, and beverage industries within the UK. We are always there for you to deliver the best in class hygiene monitoring supplies from all over the world. LABTEK Services also provides technical support to various laboratories and supply chains within the industry.

Below are a few of the products that we offer:

• HI-98107 pHep pH Tester

The HI-98107 pHep® is a revolutionary product for the pH industry. This amazing product provides a simple and inexpensive solution to non-technical personnel for conducting accurate pH measurements. This is a pocket sized pH tester that is used by millions around the world for monitoring pH in industrial applications and laboratories.

• pH Tester for Milk HI-981034

The HI-981034 has a specialised conic tipped pH electrode that comes in a glass body. This specialised pH electrode is easy to clean and rugged. The HI-981034 has an open junction design consisting of a solid gel interface between the internal Ag/AgCl reference and sample.

• Electrode pH for Meat Testing

This electrode is made with a food grade PVDF body and is perfect for use in the food industry, particularly with meat. The electrode is designed with a low temperature glass that includes a conical-shaped tip.

LABTEK Services also supplies an extensive range of own brand and branded pH Buffer standards, cleaning and storage solutions

LABTEK Services is pleased to announce that one of its suppliers, Qlip, has put a new pre-treatment area for microbiological analysis into operation in its dairy laboratory. This is known as the High Care Area and is utilized in the preparation of samples for microbiological analyses in powdered dairy products like infant formula. Several strict procedures are implemented in this room related to the working methods, disinfection of sample packaging, routing, disinfection, and cleaning. Therefore, along with disinfecting with disinfectants, this room also gets disinfected throughout the day with the help of ozone and ultraviolet light (UV). Before the samples get into the pre-treatment area, they are put in the pass-through cabinets. In these cabinets, ozone and UV light are also used.

Along with the High Care Area, Qlip has incorporated a lot of extra measures in order to make sure the whole process in the laboratory is able to meet hygiene standards of the highest level. A few of these measures include:

• Separate sample reception cabinet with UV light

• Optimization of the routing of samples from arrival to the analysis result

• Numerous extra moments for disinfection of sample materials, packaging materials, and trolleys.

The purpose of Qlip’s investment is to ensure that it meets the highest hygiene standards as an innovative and progressive laboratory. Qlip is the first commercial laboratory with this High Care Area for the sample preparation for performing microbiological analyses in powdered dairy products

The whole process of weigh-in and sample treatment was thoroughly reviewed by an external group of experts. After their review, the experts were able to conclude that the whole process is completely secure and will meet all the desired requirements of the hygienic work.

The commissioning of the High Care Area and the tightened procedure will not have any sort of impact on the turnaround times of analyses. Also, the application and reporting of analysis results will go forward in the same manner. If the samples are pre-processed in the High Care Area, you can view them in the report.

The new High Care Area and the tightened procedures will enable Qlip to serve its clients in a better manner. Also, this will ensure Qlip provides them with reliable analysis results. If you want to view the overview of the matrices and analyses for which the High Care Area will be used, please contact the LABTEK team.

Contact the LABTEK Team for further information

Introduction

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare to return to offices, restaurants, retail shopping and all other places associated with “normal” life, it will be important to assure

employees and customers that they are not only welcome back, but that it is also safe for them to return. People will have concerns and proving that your cleaning and sanitation is effective and is providing them with an environment that is clean and safe will be an important step in welcoming them back. Evaluation of your cleaning methods in a way that provides proof will be a necessary first step.

So, how can that be done? We can learn from the cleaning practices in environments where bacteria, viruses and other contamination and infectious agents are a crucial concern and that have always been conducted using highly specific processes verified by analytical testing. Cleaning in hospitals for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections, for example, has typically employed ATP-based hygiene monitoring tests to assess the effectiveness of the cleaning procedures used. Cleaning in commercial and retail settings has traditionally been far less specific and precise, but this may no longer be an option for responsible site managers.

So what is an ATP Test?

ATP tests are easy-to-use, rapid tests that are used to assess the effectiveness of cleaning in a wide variety of industries and facilities, including food processing plants, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, cruise ships and many other applications. The test detects adenosine triphosphate – or ATP – a chemical found in all living things. ATP is present anywhere that people, bacteria, viruses, food, or other organic sources can be found and is present in the  soil on surfaces that cleaning is designed to remove. The presence of ATP remaining on surfaces following cleaning is indicative of incomplete or improper cleaning.

ATP tests have become popular because they are easy to use and provide immediate results. The results from these traditional ATP tests, however, can often be deceiving in many applications because of an inherent weakness in their detection of ATP. A failure to understand this phenomenon can cause acceptance of false passing results and subsequently acceptance of faulty and ineffective cleaning.

The problem stems from the fact that in certain applications and under many environmental conditions the ATP molecule can degrade to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and/or adenosine monophosphate (AMP).¹ Traditional ATP tests can only detect ATP and will fail to detect these degradation products – even though their presence still indicates that the surface has not been adequately cleaned. But a test that could detect ATP plus the ADP and AMP that may have been generated will be far more sensitive and more effective for cleaning verification.

Recently, such a test that detects all three of these chemicals – ATP+ADP+AMP or “A3” – has been developed. The test was developed to make rapid ATP testing more useful in a wider variety of cleaning applications, including areas that have not previously employed cleaning verification, such as office building, retail, and other commercial facilities.

1 ATP, ADP, and AMP are also known as “adenylates’.

Cleaning Verification

Many high-risk facilities have long used verification of their cleaning processing as a crucial element of the safety programs. Hospitals, where ineffective cleaning can increase the risk of the transmission of healthcare-associated infections, and food processing plants, where cleaning is crucial to prevent bacterial contamination that can cause foodborne illnesses, have long used verification steps to measure their cleaning and sanitation effectiveness.These facilities had traditionally used visual inspection, but they learned that visual inspections alone are inaccurate, highly subjective, and ineffective in critical cleaning situations. These facilities long ago adopted ATP as a rapid method to measure and verify their cleaning programs.

Managers of commercial facilities should learn from these high-risk facilities and – like it or not – they are now largely in the same position of having to assure the cleanliness of their facilities to satisfy their employees, customers, and tenants of their safety.

Managers of high-risk facilities have also to come to understand the weaknesses of traditional ATP tests. A test that fails to accurately assess cleaning is not going to provide the data that you need to assure your stakeholders. You need a more sensitive test that more accurately detects residue that may be left behind.

Contamination from Hands

To demonstrate this phenomenon, we conducted a variety of scientific tests to investigate the sensitivity of traditional ATP tests compared with the improved A3 test along with their correlation to the removal of virus particles from surfaces.

It is well accepted that hand washing is an important step in preventing contamination and the spread of infections. This is true both for the protection of the person washing their own hands and to prevent the transfer of the contamination on their hands to high touch surfaces. Because people’s hands are the main source of contamination on high-touch surfaces, using soil from hands serves as a good proxy for a test to accurately detect that same debris present on those high-touch surfaces. To do this, tests to measure the contamination from the surfaces of hands, using gloved hand samples, were the first step in our evaluation .

Samples from gloved-hands were prepared by first having volunteers wash their hands using a commercially-available and commonly-used hand soap.² The volunteers then wore powder-free, polyethylene gloves for 4 hours. At the end of that time period, 10 milliliters of sterilized water was added into each of their gloves to capture the soil from their hands. The liquid sample from the glove was then sampled and filtered. Feline calicivirus, a virus typically used as a surrogate for norovirus and effectively serves as a suitable proxy for tracking virus removal, was added to the sample.

Previous testing has shown that unwashed or ineffectively-washed hands will have an A3 RLU (relative light units- the units used in the measurement) measurement in a range of 5,000 to 50,000. The same research, using definitive laboratory tests for bacteria and organic debris, has established a standard of 2,000 RLU as a benchmark for”clean” hands. With this information, the volunteers washed their hand until a test with the A3 technology indicated that the debris on their hand was measured at 2,000 RLU or less.

Measuring High Touch Surfaces

To simulate the contamination of high-touch surfaces, this same soil- and virus-contaminated water was used to contaminate plastic sample coupons. ³

Each of 36 plastic sample coupons were contaminated in a 6 x 6 pattern of 11 microliter samples (“spots”). The plates were allowed to dry for 90 minutes to simulate commercial surfaces prior to cleanin g. Following drying, one of the plastic coupons was tested for ATP, A3 and the level of viruses present to represent baseline conditions pre-cleaning. Onadditional plastic coupons, each spot on the surfaces was wiped with a microfiber cloth. This was completed to represent a simple cleaning procedure. On additional plates, the surfaces were wiped four times, each time using a microfiber cloth to simulate a repeat cleaning procedure.

Following the initial and the repeat cleanings, testing of the surfaces was completed using two commercially-available, conventional ATP tests4, the A3 test, and a test for viruses. In this manner, the sensitivity of traditional ATP tests and the A3 test can be compared for sensitivity and also for their ability to correlate that sensitivity for removal of soil with their ability to serve as an indicator for the level viruses remaining on the surface after each cleaning. Separate plastic coupons were tested using the commercially-available ATP tests. A third plastic coupon was tested using the Kikkoman A3 test. All of the tests were performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A fourth plate was used to test for the level of viruses present using a standard cell culture plaque assay.⁵

This response from the conventional ATP tests was to be expected. In previous examinations of samples from hands ⁶, it has been shown that the naturally-occurring levels of ADP and AMP are significantly higher than ATP (Figure 3). Since hands are the primary source of contamination on high-touch surfaces, this phenomenon is also seen in the proportion of adenylates on high-touch surfaces as measured in hospitals (Figure 4). Since ATP comprises only a small percentage of the total test target available, this places conventional ATP tests at a significant disadvantage.

The Kikkoman A3 test is capable of detecting these three adenylates simultaneously and this is evident in the level of response of the test. The ATP-only tests are unable to detect these adenylates and consequently show a significantly low RLU level, despite the fact that the surfaces are contaminated with organic debris and viruses.

Following a single wiping with the microfiber cloth, the level of virus had been reduced 96% but the Kikkoman A3 test still appropriately showed detectable levels of organic debris present. Both of the conventional ATP-only tests showed extremely low levels of ATP – lower, in fact, than the manufacturer’s recommended levels for effective cleaning. This is the effect mentioned earlier that conventional ATP tests can falsely indicate a clean surface due to their inability to detect the ADP and AMP still remaining from soils on the surface.

The data also shows that only after wiping the surface 4 times and producing a 99.5% reduction of the level of virus on the surface of the plate does the Kikkoman A3 test produce a RLU level below the manufacturer’s recommendations for effective cleaning. (See Table 1 for measured data from the tests).

Since ATP was the minor and ADP was the major adenylate in the gloved-hand samples, 20 times higher sensitivity in detection of debris from hands can be achieved by the A3 method, compared with the conventional ATP test.

– Journal of Preventative Medicine and Hygiene

³ Study conducted by Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology in Japan

4 The commercially-available ATP assays were from 3M and Hygiena

5 In the plaque virus assay, susceptible stained host cells are spread and grown on a plate and inoculated with the sample containing the feline calicivirus . The feline calicivirus infects the host cells causing lysing , and the virus titer (proportional to the lysed cells) is measured in plaque-forming units.

6 Evaluation of the total adenylate (ATP+ ADP + AMP) test for cleaning verification in healthcare settings

M. BAKKE, S. SUZUKI, E. KIRIHARA, and S. MIKAMI Journal of Preventative Medicine and Hygiene, 2019, 60:E140- E146

ATP Test Conclusions

ATP hygiene monitoring tests can be used in commercial settings for verification of cleaning and sanitation because they are easy to use, provide immediate results for the verification of cleaning, and provide you with data you need to show your employees, tenants, and customers the care you are taking in your cleaning program to protect them. This study, however, demonstrates that conventional ATP tests can be ineffective in verifying cleaning procedures but a moreinnovative test, that employs a more comprehensive analysis that detects ATP, ADP, and AMP is a more effective means to measure surface cleaning.

As we have shown on high touch surfaces, where ATP is expected to account for a small percentage of total adenylate concentration, a test that detects ATP-only may produce misleading results. On the other hand, because the A3 test can detect three adenylates simultaneously, it provides a more sensitive and reliable indicator of cleaning effectiveness. And, while it is known that neither ATP nor the A3 test is specific for the direct detection of viruses, the additional sensitivity that the A3 test provides produces a more accurate measure of effective cleaning that has a proven high correlation with the removal of virus particles from surfaces. And, because the A3 test is just as easy to use as a less effective, conventional ATP test, the A3 test is a preferred, advanced test for the verification of commercial cleaning.

Antibiotic Milk Testing – the Milk Supply Chain

In August 2015 the Food Standards Agency FSA issued guidance on testing of milk for antibiotic residues which provided information for the milk supply chain on best practice for the detection of antibiotics in raw milk.

https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/testmilkantibioticres.pdf

From the farm to the dairy processor it is a legal requirement that antibiotics do not enter the food chain and face major penalties if bulk milk is found to be contaminated with Antibiotics, but why should our milk not contain antibiotics?

Why should our milk not contain Antibiotics?

There are two main reasons why antibiotics should not be present in milk and dairy products

1. Antibiotics in milk can cause sensitivity and allergic reactions for some people
2. Long term increased exposure to antibiotics in milk and the general food chain will make the antibiotic less effective as the bacteria build up resistance which can cause major problems for future generations as we need a defence against harmful bacteria

Manufacturers of cheese and yoghurts also need to make sure the raw material used milk has no or minimal antibiotics as these products are dependent on bacterial activity and the presence of antibiotics will interfere with this process and cause spoilage and waste.

The dairy industry is more competitive than ever you only need to look at the dairy aisle at the supermarket. Cheese and Yoghurt manufacturers cannot afford to receive milk from farms contaminated with antibiotics as it can seriously disrupt the supply chain and trust between the two parties rapidly broken down.

How do Antibiotics enter the dairy supply chain?

The primary and main risk point is at the farm, the dairy farmer will need to administer antibiotics for a number of different reasons throughout the life of the calf as it grows into a cow and becomes milk producing. A study in Australia by the government of Western Australia listed these common reasons for farmers to fail an antibiotics milk test

• Fresh calvers — cows treated with dry cow antibiotics calve early and are milked into the vat before the withholding period has ended.
• Dried off cows — a surprising number of recently treated dried off cows somehow return to the main herd unnoticed by the milkers and are milked into the vat.
• Other antibiotic treatments — most antibiotics have a withholding period. Many enter the bloodstream so footrot treatments and even small injected doses for pinkeye can lead to antibiotic residues in the milk.
• Weekend milking — many violations occur on a Monday because the weekend milker is not aware that one of the cows has been treated with antibiotics and her milk should be withheld from the vat. This may occur because the cow was not identified, the markings were lost, the identification system was not explained clearly or the milker was not paying attention.

• Test bucket overflow — it is not uncommon for the test bucket to overflow during milking. This may occur because the bucket is too small, it is not emptied between cows or it is laid on its side.

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/dairy-cattle/preventing-antibiotic-residues-milk

Many of the failures listed are either a result of poor communication between staff or poor identification systems, both of these can improved and reduce the risk of antibiotics entering the Milk VAT.

Antibiotic Milk Testing and identification Systems

At the farm it is highly important that once an antibiotic has been given to a cow that the cow is then identified and removed from the herd and adherence to the withdrawal period is given. It is the farmers responsibility to establish an identification system and administer antibiotic milk tests to confirm that antibiotics are no longer present in the milk

Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, (Annex III, Section IX, Chapter I.III.2, 4 and 5) requires that:

i) food business operators must initiate procedures to ensure that raw milk is not placed on the market if it contains antibiotic residues in excess of regulated limits (Maximum Residue Limit – MRL);

ii) a representative number of random samples of raw milk collected from milk production holdings be tested for compliance with the requirement of (i) above.

iii) food business operators must inform the competent authority where the milk does not meet the requirement of (i) and take corrective measures.

Maximum Residue Level – MRL

The maximum reside level MRL is the level of antibiotics determined by authorities to be a safe level for human consumption generally levels are parts per billion….yes parts per billion, not million, Billion! which is a very, very small amount which highlights the sensitivity of test kits available on the market.

‘One part per billion equates to one particle existing within a substance containing 999,999,999 other particles’

The MRL is used by all kit manufacturers to establish sensitivity levels of the test and each can be different for a specific antibiotic.

The most widely used group of antibiotics globally for the treatment of bacterial infections in cattle such as mastitis, is a group called BetaLactams. Betalactams incorporates one of the most widely recognisable antibiotics Penicillin G. The MRL level for Penicillin G in Milk is set at 4ppb with many popular tests such as the DELVOTEST, ECLIPSE 3G/4G, BetaStar, BT SCAN, BT SCAN Strip offering sensitivity levels at 2-4ppb. Penicillin G can be found in branded products such as TetraDelta, Ubro Red DC, with some products containing a mixture of different antibiotics.

When selecting a antibiotic milk test kit it is important to fully understand what antibiotics have been given to the cow and the test selected detects to the MRL level for that specific antibiotic.

What type of Antibiotic Test to Use?

There are two different types of antibiotic milk tests

1. microbial inhibitor tests which detect a wide range of antibiotics across the 8 major groups, including Betalactams, Tetracyclines, Sulfonamides and give a result within 2- 3.5 hours. Popular tests in this type include Delvotest SP-NT, Delvotest T, Eclipse 3G and Eclipse 4G they widely used across the UK at farms as they simple to use, low cost and test a wide range of antibiotics are easily recognisable by a simple colour change from Purple to Yellow.
2. immune-receptor tests whose spectrum of detection is normally limited to specific antibiotic groups such as Betalactams antibiotics and give a result within 5-10 minutes, this type of test has been widely adopted by milk processors who need a rapid confirmation if a milk tanker contains antibiotics. The test device usually comprises of a lateral flow strip which is read by eye, popular test kits include BetaStar, AUROFLOW, BT SCAN, BT SCAN Strip . Modern advances in technology has seen the rapid lateral flow test strip now offer testing of up to 4 Antibiotic Groups on the same strip in under 10mins.

When considering which antibiotic milk test type to use will fundamentally depend on:-

• how quickly the test result is required
• which antibiotics need detecting and
• cost with speed comes a higher cost per test.

Both test types are very simple to complete. One or two steps max then Incubate in Incubator or using ambient temperature.

Test Devices difficult to read introducing the Incubator Reader

The latest advancement in antibiotic testing is the introduction of Incubator Readers, although both test types listed above are simple to complete it has been noted by numerous customer’s they were sometimes difficult to read or confirm the colour change.

A number of manufacturers especially in the rapid test sector responded to customer demand by introducing an Incubator Reader which incubated and read the test device at the same time. The incubator reader used photo imaging to remove user doubt when reading the test, as well as an improvement in test time to about 3-6mins per test.

The very latest technology from ZEULAB offers the user an incubator reader for both the Rapid (immune-receptor tests) and Broad Spectrum (microbial inhibitor tests)

It is not common knowledge that to complete a Delvotest correctly a positive control should be run along side to know the optimal test time, a 3hr test time for the SP-NT is set as an average for simplicity.

By using the new COMET Incubator Reader, the COMET automatically recognises the optimal test time and reads the colour change, with results sent directly to an email or multiple decision makers. No longer do you have to set timers or wait for the incubator timer to finish. Using the COMET Incubator Reader saves roughly 30mins per Eclipse 4G Test average test time 2.5hrs

The IRIS Incubator reader operates the same way as the COMET but for the rapid BT Scan test devices.

NO MORE DOUBT! Incubator readers remove operator doubt over the test result

GUIDANCE ON THE ACTIONS TO BETAKEN FOLLOWING AN ANTIBIOTIC SCREENING TEST FAILURE

To determine the absence of antibiotic residues in milk, a rapid test sometimes known as a “screening” test such as the BT Scan or BetaStar should initially be performed on a sample of milk.

It is recommended that the sample should ideally include use of what are known as negative and positive control samples (where practical and available, or as instructed by the test kit manufacturer).

 Controls are used to ensure that test kits are working correctly.

Controls explained:

Negative controls are a  “blank sample” which should show as a “pass” when the test kit is used. This provides reassurance that milk without antibiotics in it should pass when it is tested.

Positive controls are used to make sure that the chemicals in the test kits which detect antibiotics are working properly. They are samples which are known to contain antibiotics or other substances so that when put through a test kit, the result will show as a “fail”. This provides reassurance that milk with antibiotics in it should fail when tested.

In the event that the sample fails the rapid /screening test the result is considered presumptive as the rapid /screening test is not as sensitive or specific as laboratory tests. The user has three options

1. Re-test making sure to use positive and negative controls to confirm rapid/screening test is working correctly.
2. Identify and Quantify Antibiotics by sending sample to an accredited laboratory
3. Treat the primary test result as a failure and dispose of the milk

LABTEK Services has been supporting the dairy farm and dairy processor since 1987, we supply a wide range of antibiotic test solutions from a range of manufacturers, please contact us should you need any assistance or guidance on the best solution for your business.

Contact LABTEK Services Ltd

Measuring Titratable Milk Acidity in Dairy Products

The HI84529-01 uses methods based on AOAC International and Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products. Both of these methods report titratable milk acidity as % lactic acid and a conversion factor is used to convert the results to the other available units. The HI84529-01 can be customized to meet the needs of any dairy analysis lab. Samples can be titrated by weight or volume, diluted or non-diluted (low range only) and titrated to a fixed pH endpoint that can be adjusted by the user. The HI84529-01 offers three different methods depending on the expected range and the weight of sample used. Select low range 50 to titrate a 50 mL or 50 g undiluted sample. The other titration options are low range 20 and high range 20 to titrate 20 mL or 20 g samples that are diluted twice their volume with deionized or distilled water.

There are two fundamentally different measurements of dairy products: titratable acidity and pH. pH is a measurement of hydrogen ion concentration while titratable acidity is the neutralizing capacity of a dairy product with NaOH. An increase in acidity can be caused by bacteria formation. Monitoring acidity is a way of determining the quality and freshness of dairy products. Acidity is determined by a pH endpoint titration using NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and is defined as the consumption necessary to shift the pH value from 6.6 (corresponding to fresh milk) to a pre-determined pH value. When using phenolphthalein as an indicator, a faint pink color change occurs at pH 8.3.

Titratable acidity is expressed in a variety of units based on the titration method performed. Each method varies in sample size and strength of NaOH used for the titration.

% Lactic Acid (%l.a.): Determined by taking a 20 mL or 20 g sample and diluting with twice its volume with deionized or distilled water. The sample is then titrated with 0.1 M NaOH to a phenolphthalein endpoint.

The Mini Titrator can be purhased via our online shop

The Eclipse FARM 4G  test and COMET Incubator & Strip Reader, both developed and manufactured by Zeulab, has been recently validated and certified by the AOAC-RI (Association Of Official Analytical Collaboration – Research Institute) to detect antibiotics in raw cow milk.

The Eclipse Farm 4G test, used with COMET, has shown adequate sensitivity to detect most antibiotics used by the dairy industry in Europe at levels below the maximum residue limit established in European legislation in Regulation (EU) No. 37/2010. To assess the test sensitivity, both limits of detection (LoD) and detection capability (CCβ) were determined for several representative molecules of the main families of antimicrobials, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, macrolides and aminoglycosides. The false positive rate and the effect of potentially interfering substances, showed a great selectivity and specificity of the test. The effect of the milk composition on the test sensitivity was also evaluated, obtaining minimal deviations in the results, even with unusual amounts of fat, protein or somatic cells. In addition, the test was shown to be robust, consistent and stable throughout its shelf life.

The independent laboratory that performed the validation assays, was ILVO (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). This independent scientific research center of the Government of Flanders, in Belgium, is currently one of the most important reference laboratories in Europe for the analysis of veterinary residues in milk. In addition, ILVO verified that the system  COMET & Eclipse 4G meets the approval criteria established by the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) of Belgium.

The Eclipse Farm 4G & COMET system has been designed to be used by anyone, without any specific training, because the test is very simple and the results are obtained automatically. The sensitivity of the test obtained in the validation is similar or superior to other tests in its category, making it a highly recommended test for all farmers, or the dairy industry in general, who want to have a high degree of safety and reliability in the quality of their milk.

”COMET

Chlorine Test Strip for checking Chlorine Sanitising Solutions

High concentration solutions are widely used in hospital infection control and food processing facilities.

With the emergence of COVID-19 virus cleanliness and hygiene is at the forefront of everybodies thoughts.

Sanitising solutions for disinfection at suitable concentrations have been proven to inactivate and destroy harmful germs from nonliving or inert surfaces.

The effectiveness of each product to destroy different types of harmful germs is dependant on the disinfecting agent, chemical concentration and contact time.

Chlorine bleach – Sodium Hypochlorite is widely used as an effective and inexpensive disinfectant.

Sodium Hypochlorite which is the active ingredient in Chlorine decomposes over time for example a 16% solution degrades in a few minutes while a 3% solution can last for months.

The CDC and WHO recommend two levels of Chlorine bleach dilution for disinfection tasks in Hospitals and high risk environments 0.05% (500ppm) and 0.5% (5000ppm) free available Chlorine, assuming a start base strength of at least 5% available chlorine.

Gross contamination of an area requires an area to be pre-cleaned as well as a pre-disinfection using 0.5% 5000ppm. Final disinfection applied after cleaning the surface and solution to be left in contact with the area for 10mins.

General cleaning of surfaces and equipment requires a 0.05% 500ppm Chlorine Bleach Solution with 1min wet contact for disinfection.

Testing is the only reliable method to assure the desired disinfection strength of a prepared chlorine solution is achieved and maintained

LABTEK services can supply a wide range of Chlorine Test Strips – Sodium Hypochlorites test strips with ranges for 0-1000ppm and 0 -10000ppm.

These strips can be purchased from our online shop with courier fees starting at £4.95

Purchase Chlorine & Sanitising Test Strips Here at Our Online Shop

Milk Antibiotic Tests for the UK Dairy Farm

Huge fines face dairy farmers when antibiotics are detected in a farms milk destined for human consumption.

In countries throughout Europe , there is a long history of self-monitoring for these residues on the farm. In many cases, industry, veterinary and farming personnel collaborate in the financial and technical aspects of the control plan. This prevents many accidents without major consequences, by resolving problems on the farm.

There are 2 important control points for farmers:

Individual analysis of treated animals: It is fundamental to implement preventive management. No treatment is ever identical; births may be premature and the release kinetics of milk residues may vary. Carrying out a simple broad spectrum antibiotic milk test, such as the Eclipse Farm 4G, before entering the cow into the daily milking routine will prevent unexpected tank contamination.

Milk tank analysis: Checking the milk in the tank for potential human error before collection is a procedure that can save a lot of trouble. The addition of milk from a cow under treatment can lead to accidental contamination of a 3,000 L tank of milk and a high concentration of residues. This situation could lead to problems in silos of up to 100,000 L within dairy plants if the milk is not analysed. At this stage, a broad spectrum test (Eclipse Farm 4G) can be performed if there is time before collection by the lorry, or a rapid beta-lactam and tetracycline antibiotic milk test, such as Duplex BT Scan, if an immediate decision has to be made.

Fortunately, performing an individual check in cows or tanks today is a very simple task. Using small automatic analytical devices, a farmer can perform an antibiotic test in a few minutes. The results are sent to a mobile phone and can be shared in real time with the industry for integrated management.

For further information about Antibiotic Testing on the Farm Click Here

Antibiotic milk test BT Scan is a One-step assay that detects the presence of beta-lactams and tetracyclines in milk in just a few minutes. With the IRIS reader, any operator will be able to analyse the milk and results will be available in real-time in the cloud, on the mobile phone or at the processing plant.

BT Scan Strip helps you to easily identify in just 6 minutes if the milk tank is contaminated with beta-lactams or tetracyclines upon the truck arrival at the plant. Once the operator runs the test at the reception, or even on the truck, the results will be automatically received in-real time allowing to make quick decisions.

Antibiotic Milk Test BT Scan Strip analysis at the farm helps avoiding industry penalties. Just by adding a drop of milk you can check the tank in a few minutes before it is collected. In addition, the automatic reading of the results with IRIS reader will allow you to share them with personal at the processing plant to daily guarantee the quality of your milk.

• Scope: detection of beta-lactams and tetracyclines in milk
• Assay time: one-step assay of a 6-minutes.
• Results: visual or automatic interpretation with IRIS reader and automatic sending of results (Wifi / Bluetooth / 4G)
• Format: 25 or 100 cassettes

For further information about the IRIS & BT Scan Strip Click Here

Antibiotic Milk Test Eclipse FARM-4G & COMET4

Eclipse Farm 4G & Comet4 is the first system on the market that allows to carry out an automatic antibiotic milk test and share the results in real-time. Just add a drop of milk into the test tube and Comet4 will automatically run the test in less than 2.5 hours. Regardless of where you are, you will receive the results on your smartphone, your cloud account or your email, always in real-time.

One drop of milk, one minute of your time. For an automatic antibiotic milk test of more than 50 antibiotic substances and with real-time results wherever you need it to.

Do you want to make sure that the milk from your treated cow is free from antibiotics?

Do you need to check that your milk tank, truck tank or silo is free from any antibiotic substance that can interfere with your production?

Can I use transport time to analyse milk before arrival to the plant?

• Scope: simultaneous detection of 8 groups of antibiotics in milk (>50 antibiotic substances). Sensitivity adapted to European MRLs
• Assay time: 2 hours 30 min.
• Results: numerical results, automatic reading and results are automatically sent (WIFI/Bluetooth/4G)
• Portable: 4 hours battery life
• Format: 25 or 50 tubes

For further information about the COMET4 & Eclipse 4G Click Here

Azowipes for Surface Sanitising

AZOWipe is a leading brand of alcohol wipes, manufactured in the UK, the AZOWipe brand has been a popular choice for a wide range hygiene sensitive industries such as the NHS, Dentists, Doctors, Food processing, Hospitality.

The AzoWipe contains 70% IPA Isopropyl Alcohol which has been proven 100% efffective against a wide range of bacteria and viruses.

The wipe is very strong and durable with a large surface area ideal for tough surfaces.

If you need to certain that a surface has been cleaned of all unwanted bacteria and viruses the AZOWipe is the ideal choice.

Purchase AZOWipes via this link

Antibacterial Wipes from PAL

LABTEK Services is pleased to be able to add the PAL TX range of antibacterial wipes designed for the food manufacturing and service environments to our product range.

PAL TX antibacterial wipes have been specially designed for hygienic cleaning of hard surfaces.
Wipe size: 190 x 230mm
Pack size: 1000 wipes
Wipe grade: 18gsm Tritex Technology
Bucket wipes
Meet EN standards; EN 1276, EN 13697, EN1650
Taint tested in accordance to BS ISO 4120:2004
Colour of wipes: Blue
Active Ingredients: Benzyl-C12-16-alkyl dimethyl chlorides C12-14-Alkyl [(ethylphenyl)methyl]dimethyl, chlorides Didecy dimethy ammonium chloride
Solution Description: Pal surface disinfectant solution
Applications: Very suitable for hygienic cleaning of hard surfaces within the food manufacturing and service environments

Purchase PAL TX Surface Sanitising Wipes

If you want to take your Hygiene Monitoring to the next level the addition of a luminometer such as the ENSURE or SystemSure provides the user with far more information and data handling capabilities.

The ENSURE or SystemSure converts detectable ATP to RLU- Relative Light Units which enables the user to obtain a specific RLU result which can be monitored and improved over time.

A typical HACCP system would select critical points throughout the processing environment which may have high risk and allocate them as swabbing points.

Overtime information can be accrued indicating if hygiene levels are improving, getting worse or remaining the same.

Please contact LABTEK Services to discuss options for your hygiene monitoring requirements.

Purchase Hygiene Monitoring Systems & Swabs

All-in-One Listeria, L. monocytogenes Detection Method

LABTEK Services is very pleased to announce the launch of  the InSite^™​L. mono Glo Environmental Surface Screening Test. InSite^™​ L. mono Glo is an easy-to-use, self-contained, environmental sampling and screening test for Listeria species and Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono).

Each device contains liquid media containing antibiotics, growth enhancers, and colour-changing compounds specific to Listeria plus fluorescent compounds specific to Listeria monocytogenes. Within 48 hours, the two-step test changes colour in the presence of Listeria species, while illumination with UV light reveals L. monocytogenes if present. The test is used for environmental monitoring in food processing facilities after cleaning. Screening out negative samples quickly and easily provides a cost-effective way to increase surveillance, monitor hazards, and control risks.

The InSite^™​ L. mono Glo test was certified under the AOAC-RI Performance Tested Method in late 2018 (certification number 061802). The certification verifies the claims that the test detects low levels of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes on stainless steel, ceramic and plastic surfaces.

“We’re excited by this new product, which can provide rapid information on the possible presence of Listeria easily in an all-in-one device,” said Martin Easter, chief scientific officer of Hygiena. “We are also proud to have this product certified by the AOAC-RI.”

The Insite^™​L. mono Glo method requires no complex laboratory equipment and is self-contained, which reduces the risks of sample cross-contamination. As government regulators worldwide have made monitoring and controlling Listeria a priority, more food safety professionals are looking for convenient, cost-effective methods.

Click Here to Request further Information